Chelsea have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager (Picture: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino is already facing an early headache as Chelsea boss with Kalidou Koulibaly unwilling to leave the club.

Much was expected of the experienced former Napoli centre-half when he joined last summer having been earmarked as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger.

Koulibaly endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League and struggled to recover after he was sent off against Leeds United in what was only his third appearance.

With Thiago Silva now looking increasingly likely to stay and Wesley Fofana plus Benoit Badiashile representing long-term investments, Koulibaly’s first team opportunities are likely to be rare next season.
Pochettino is keen to drastically reduce the size of this first team squad and willing to shelve as many as 12 first team players.

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According to The Evening Standard, Koulibaly is among a group of senior players Chelsea are keen to move on, but that will be no straightforward task.

The Senegal international’s £200,000-a-week wages will represent a significant stumbling block, while the 31-year-old is keen to remain at Chelsea and prove his worth.

Addressing his future last week, he said: ?It is true it was difficult season,? he said. ?For me it was a very hard welcome because to come to the Premier League and have a season like this was not what I was thinking about, but football is ...