Chelsea fans urged to stay calm despite Alonso's mixed start, while Pochettino is tipped for Manchester United return

Chelsea supporters have been told there is no need to hit the panic button yet, despite a frustrating run of form under manager Xabi Alonso. A defeat to Sunderland has meant Alonso's men have lost three of their last six Premier League games and also crashed out of the Carabao Cup during that run.

Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole expressed his frustration with the team's defensive displays. Despite some fans calling for Alonso to be sacked, club podcaster Alex Harris believes the manager is not the core issue at Stamford Bridge. Harris pointed to the lack of a stable base and the influx of new players as reasons for the current teething issues.

Mauricio Pochettino is finalising a deal to become the next Manchester United manager, with Michael Carrick expected to be sacked this week. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss was previously considered for the Old Trafford role before the club appointed Erik ten Hag in 2022.

United close to appointing Pochettino and deciding on Carrick

Simon Jordan has labelled Pochettino a 'bridesmaid' and questioned whether he is the right fit for United, arguing he could not sell his vision to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy even after reaching a Champions League final. Gabby Agbonlahor also questioned the credentials, highlighting his lack of major honours and his spell at Chelsea where he left the club in sixth position after a net spend of nearly 200 million pounds.

One potential consolation for United fans is that Pochettino has a track record of steering clubs away from relegation trouble when appointed mid-season, having done so at Espanyol and Southampton.

Pochettino poised to take United job as Carrick's exit looms