Where next for Olise? Liverpool’s summer plans? Pochettino’s future?

Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the world of football.

I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers to them from the latest Q&A below. Thanks to all who took part today.

Want to ask me a question? I’ll be back next week for another session.

Get the latest transfer news on The Athletic…

Jonny C asked: Hi David, will Chelsea be back in for Michael Olise this summer?

David Ornstein: I think that ship has probably sailed after what happened last summer, Jonny. If Olise leaves Crystal Palace in the upcoming window, I expect it would only be for one of the small number of most prominent Champions League clubs.

He is said to be an intelligent and thoughtful player who knows exactly what level he can reach and will be clear in deciding if, where and when it is right for him to move.

Like with his previous contract, there is thought to be a release clause in the fresh terms he signed after the Chelsea saga. So clubs will have a decent idea of what they need to do to get him. To my knowledge, there have been no meaningful developments so far but obviously there’s a good chance that changes in the coming weeks and months. As for Chelsea, they appear to be quite well-stocked in Olise’s position so I suspect they will be focusing elsewhere.

Sean M asked: Are there any updates on Chelsea’s summer review of Mauricio Pochettino?

Ornstein: Hi Sean, I don’t have any updates on that because — as you say, and I’ve reported consistently — they will review everything (including this situation) in the summer, rather than now. Obviously, the hierarchy will be forming their views — good, bad, indifferent — on a daily basis but I don’t expect any firm conclusions to be reached until the season is over. So much can still happen before then and Chelsea have so many massive fixtures ahead that I don’t think their focus can or should be on anything other than those games, starting against Manchester City on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, and moving on to huge tests against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham subsequently.

GO DEEPER

Chelsea and Project Pochettino: How a trying campaign is taking its toll on coach, owners, squad and fans

Pochettino’s Chelsea face Manchester City on Saturday (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

None of this is unique to Pochettino or Chelsea, rather a natural thing for any club to do when their head coach is a year into a two-year contract (plus an option to extend by 12 months). It goes without saying that the run ahead is critical because Chelsea’s season has so far fallen below the expectations of everyone involved, so it’s time to step up.

Everything you hear from around Stamford Bridge suggests the owners will not accept excuses; everyone, themselves included, need to deliver. By Saturday night, Pochettino may have led Chelsea to their second cup final of his maiden season and there’s still a good chance for them to qualify for Europe through the Premier League. I’m sure this will all form part of the assessment but you can’t make judgements on that alone.

As we’re hearing with INEOS in relation to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, they’re looking at everything (on and off the training and match pitch) to formulate their thoughts and decisions on a way forward. No doubt it will be similar at Chelsea. There’s a strong argument that after all the changes experienced, Chelsea need continuity and Pochettino deserves time. There are plenty of excellent young players at his disposal, too. Like most other managers and coaches, he will be judged by the performances he gets out of them and, above all, results.

Kristian M asked: With Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and possibly Emile Smith Rowe rumoured to be leaving Arsenal this summer, do you think they will look to bring in players classed as ‘homegrown’ to help with the quota?

Ornstein: Good question, Kristian. Although this is not something that has specifically come up in the conversations I’ve had around potential targets for Arsenal this summer, it is a consideration for every Premier League club when squad planning. Excuse the boring answer but it will all come down to who and how many depart, and who and how many remain, which obviously can be influenced by academy graduates like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

GO DEEPER

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly is deciding games and doing 'things you can't coach'

Ethan Nwaneri playing against West Ham in February (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

At this point, the majority of names I’ve heard as possible signings would not qualify as homegrown, whereas early last summer a lot of those who — for example — Tottenham had on their radar were very purposefully homegrown (like James Maddison). On a broader note about the production of homegrown talent, this is definitely an area in which Arsenal are seeking to improve and it is a topic we discussed at the end of the latest episode of The Athletic FC podcast, which you can listen to here.

Mac Alli A asked: Hi David. Any more updates regarding Ruben Amorim and what are Liverpool’s plans for the summer?

Ornstein: I don’t have any significant updates yet and as soon as we get any we’ll bring them to you. Amorim is in the mix, as has been well documented, but we’re told he is not a shoo-in or a nailed-on first choice at this stage. Liverpool are said to be conducting a genuinely thorough and broad process that has also highlighted alternative candidates.

Those involved in the search will be finishing due diligence on those candidates and from what I hear they should be in a position to make more concrete advances on whoever emerges as their top target pretty soon. Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG CEO of football Michael Edwards, we’re assured, won’t be afraid to look beyond the obvious names if others fit their criteria — and they’re prepared to be brave over popular.

Amorim is among the names linked with the Liverpool job (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

As you can imagine, they’ll be focusing on key criteria like the playing style and identity they want to see Liverpool produce under the new man, a brand of football that suits this squad and the way the club have recruited for a while now, an ability to connect with, energise and harness Liverpool’s fanbase, strong data on player fitness and availability, and a good record for improving players and ensuring they fulfil and maintain their potential. I outlined this during an appearance on NBC a couple of days ago.

Nigel G asked: Dele Alli mentioned recently that he would like to play in the 2026 World Cup. Do you reckon he has enough left in the tank to get a recall at least once — and is it going to be with Everton or not?

Ornstein: Far stranger things have happened, Nigel. Clearly it’s a long shot given Dele’s recent issues, his age and the fact the next World Cup is hurtling into sight — however, we all know the ability he possesses and if he can get close to recapturing the form that saw him become such a key player for club and country then it would be foolish of us to completely rule it out.

GO DEEPER

Dele Alli and the light at the end of the tunnel

I don’t know if it will be at Everton… gut instinct says it won’t be, because his contract expires this summer and he hasn’t really been able to justify a new one (that’s before we mention Everton’s financial situation and whether they could afford it). But if Dele gets fully fit, I’m sure many opportunities will come his way — and then it’s up to him to reinvigorate his career.

Dele’s Everton contract expires this summer (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Vincent H asked: Have the new Manchester United leadership team started looking at potential ins and outs this summer or will they hold off before making a decision on Erik ten Hag?

Ornstein: They’re duty-bound to be looking at ins and outs and Ten Hag is a part of this process. If something changes with his position everyone will deal with that accordingly, but in the meantime, you have to crack on or you’ll be left behind.

GO DEEPER

What we're hearing about Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future

Chris T asked: Afternoon David, is there any further update on Newcastle’s search for Dan Ashworth’s replacement?

Ornstein: It’s at an advanced stage, Chris, but not yet complete. The process is being led by a recruitment firm and no doubt there will be differing preferences across the ownership group. They will want to reach a consensus pretty soon and then it will be about trying to strike a deal for their chosen candidate and getting them in the building. If that happens before an agreement is reached with Manchester United on Ashworth, it will be interesting to see if their strong stance on him remains or softens.

GO DEEPER

Inside Newcastle United's post-Dan Ashworth world - and what they do next

Abdulaziz H asked: What are Manchester City’s plans for Kevin De Bruyne?

Ornstein: As far as I know, City want De Bruyne to stay, but that doesn’t mean he will. The player himself will need to make a decision (if he hasn’t already) on what he wants to do. If he opts to stay and renew, great. If not, let’s see if/what offers arrive, how City respond and — should he depart — whether a direct replacement is recruited or Phil Foden becomes his successor.

(Top photo: Michael Olise; Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Where next for Olise? Liverpool’s summer plans? Pochettino’s future? – Ask Ornstein