Chelsea may target Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte

Chelsea are prioritising the signing of a central midfielder as they look to rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino, who is prepared to battle Liverpool and PSG for Ugarte

IN DEMAND: Manuel Ugarte of Sporting CP battles for possession with Ben White of Arsenal during the Europa League clash in March. Pic: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Chelsea are prioritising the signing of a central midfielder as they look to rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino, who is prepared to battle Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.

Pochettino’s appointment as head coach on a two-year deal, with the club option of an extra year, was confirmed on Monday and gave Chelsea a welcome boost after a troubled campaign during which Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Bruno Saltor had spells in charge. Tuesday marks the first anniversary of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital buying the club from Roman Abramovich, but there has been little to celebrate over the past 12 months.