Mauricio Pochettino appears to have taken Chelsea’s search for a new midfielder into his own hands, identifying Franck Kessie as a target.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with an exit from Barcelona this summer after falling out of favour under Xavi.

Despite his diminutive game time in Catalonia, Kessie has worked himself onto Chelsea’s shortlist, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.
The Blues are in the market for a new midfielder this summer following the departures of Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante.

Relevo say that Chelsea believe the Ivorian can adapt ‘very well’ to the Premier League and form a strong relationship with Enzo Fernandez.

It’s said that Kessie also ‘likes the idea’ of playing in the English top-flight.