Past comments on the part of incoming Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino, centering on the talents of Paulo Dybala, have come back to the fore online on Thursday.
This, for those who may have missed it, comes amid claims that the powers that be at Stamford Bridge are giving consideration to a move for the Argentine international.
Dybala’s contract with current club AS Roma, it is understood, contains a release clause for foreign clubs, set at just €12 million.
With the former Juventus standout fresh off a season which saw him rack up 18 goals and eight assists across all competitions, the Chelsea hierarchy, in turn, have identified Dybala as a potential cut-price addition to the club’s frontline.
🚨 Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly included Paulo Dybala on his transfer wish-list at Chelsea.🇦🇷
💰His release clause is €12M.
(Source: @ASRomaPress) pic.twitter.com/a62KwUkc23
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 5, 2023
And this, perhaps, should not come as all that much of a surprise, when taking into account the esteem in which he is held by none other than new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Back in 2018, ‘Poch’, during his stint in charge of Tottenham, was drawn on Dybala’s talents ahead of a Champions League showdown with Juventus.
In fact, Pochettino went as far as to compare Dybala to a trio of world football’s most illustrious names:
‘He’s a great footballer and Juve is a different team when he’s on the pitch and when he’s not,’ Spurs’ then-boss began. ‘Like Messi, Cristiano and Neymar, he has the ability to give the team lots of alternative options.’
Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino once compared Paulo Dybala to ‘Messi, Cristiano and Neymar’ before a Champions League clash between Tottenham and Juventus. https://t.co/rPE9BcBph6 #Dybala #Pochettino #Chelsea #Roma #Juventus #Transfers #SerieA #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) July 6, 2023
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