Gary Neville wanted Manchester United to appoint Mauricio Pochettino who is now Chelsea-bound (Picture: The Overlap)

Gary Neville is confident Chelsea are capable of ‘causing a big surprise’ next season and has backed Todd Boehly’s decision to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager.

The Argentine is set for a return to management following his sacking by Paris Saint-Germain nearly a year ago.

Pochettino will inherit a club and a squad in a state of disarray following an unprecedented spending spree that has created a situation that has been impossible to manage for the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard this season.

The Blues are currently languishing in mid-table obscurity and in the midst of a five-game losing streak ahead of Tuesday’s visit to Arsenal.
Lampard has failed to steady the ship following his own return to Stamford Bridge but Neville believes he saw enough in a goalless draw against Liverpool earlier this month, when the team was coached by Potter’s assistant Bruno Saltor, to suggest a competent, experienced manager would be capable of overseeing a quick turnaround in fortunes.

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The former Manchester United defender admitted he championed Pochettino’s cause when the Old Trafford hotseat w...