Chelsea: 3 players that will thrive in Mauricio Pochettino’s system

2. Christopher Nkunku

Similar to the role Deli Alli played for Tottenham under the new west Londoner’s manager, Christopher Nkunku is going to be the straw that stirs the drink for the Blues next season. Alli was someone that saw the majority of his minutes as that roaming No. 10. Nkunku can be that, but also much more. One of the best parts about the Frenchmen’s game is the fact that he is not nailed down to one single position on the pitch.

Pochettino has the luxury to place Nkunku as the attacking midfielder, or a false nine up top within his favored 4-2-3-1 formation. He has an incredible work rate on the pitch, something that the Argentine values. As a forward, he is in the 93rd percentile in interceptions per 90. An attacking midfielder, similar to where Alli played is most likely going to be Nkunku’s role beginning in August. He is individually attack-minded while providing the kind of link-up play this side must have to create high quality chances.

The French attacker is a prolific passer on the ball no matter where he plays. Given Pochettino’s high possession statistics while in north London, that could be of great use. Not once has Nkunku had fewer than 12 goal contributions in the German top-flight. The former RB Leipzig man is the exact type profile Pochettino is going to need for his progressive, and relentless style of football to be productive.