auricio Pochettino has warned Chelsea have to make “tough” choice to streamline their “massive” and “unbalanced” squad.

Chelsea took 29 gamers on their pre-season tour of the United States and Pochettino desires to trim his squad forward of the brand new season.

Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah may all be bought regardless of impressing within the 1-1 pleasant draw with Newcastle in Atlanta.

Chelsea have already allowed 12 first-team gamers to go away this summer season however, talking after the Newcastle recreation, Pochettino stated: “We are 29 players here and the squad is massive. It is about creating a squad with good balance and people who can play and can compete for their place.

“That is a big job and challenge for us in the transfer window to build a good relationship and good balance. If players are not happy because they believe they are not going to play, we are going to find a solution with the club and fix the situation.

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“We cannot have a massive squad, players not involved and then it’s going to create a mess. Maybe less is more and more is less. That is why I need to make clear we don’t need a big squad.

“We need 22, 23, 24 players with some younger and that’s it. I am so sorry because maybe the decision will be tough but we need to build a good and balanced team who want to compete for things.”

Pochettino stated whichever gamers stay should settle for his choices about who begins, including: “Chelsea pay me to choose 11 players, it is better they to talk from now [to leave].

“If I don’t play, I don’t want to be here - perfect. If I am here, I am committed, I am going to accept that you are the coach and are going to choose the players every single game. It is not a threat.

“We need to stop thinking ‘I come here to play’. No, ‘I come here to help the club to achieve what we want and then I need to convince the coaching staff that I deserve to play’.”

Maatsen has change into a well-liked determine with supporters after scoring twice in Chelsea’s opening pre-season pleasant and assisted a aim for Nicolas Jackson in opposition to Newcastle.

Pochettino was optimistic about Maatsen and stated: “So far he is in my plans”.

But his defender has been performed out of place on the wing, which is a trigger for concern long term.

Pochettino added: “In that position, we have four and sometimes the squad is unbalanced.

“We need to build a balanced squad to have the possibility to compete for a [high] position [in the table] but not have players who are going to be the third or fourth option for one place.”

Noni Madueke missed the Newcastle recreation as a consequence of a good hamstring however Reece James performed for the primary time in over three months in show that exhibits the progress he has made this summer season.

Pochettino stated: “I’m pleased with the attitude again and the performance - many, many positive things, things to improve. In general, I am so pleased.”