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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says he must make tough decisions as he aims to reduce his \u201cmassive squad\u201d after a pre-season draw with Newcastle.<\/p>\n
The Blues, who took 29 players to the United States, played out a 1-1 draw in front of more than 70,000 in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
Miguel Almiron cancelled out Chelsea summer signing Nicolas Jackson\u2019s 12th-minute opener.<\/p>\n
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But Pochettino said he wanted to reduce the squad before their Premier League opener against Liverpool on 13 August.<\/p>\n
He added morale could be affected if there were numerous players in the squad not getting regular game time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment the dynamic is very good, really good guys and they are sharing the time together,\u201d Pochettino said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is difficult because sometimes in every game three, four, five players cannot play and that is difficult because the mood is difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is about creating a squad with good balance and people who have the opportunity to play and can compete for their place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a big job and challenge for us in the transfer window to build a good relationship and good balance. Then, if players are not happy because they believe they are not going to play, we are going to find a solution with the club and fix the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we cannot have is a massive squad, players, not be involved and then it\u2019s going to create a mess in the squad. Maybe less is more and more is less, it is not mathematic. That is why I need to make clear we don\u2019t need a big squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need 22, 23, 24 players with some younger and that\u2019s it. I am so sorry because maybe the decision will be tough but we need to build a good and a balanced team who want to compete for things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea had an inflated squad last season after spending \u00a3600m over the previous two transfer windows.<\/p>\n
Since being in the United States, defenders Marc Cucurella and Reece James have spoken about the negative effect that had on the players.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers that will be here next season need to be happy,\u201d Pochettino said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they believe they need to be in the starting 11 and they are not going to accept being on the bench because of the coach \u2013 Chelsea pay me to choose 11 players \u2013 it is better they talk from now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to stop thinking \u2018I come here to play\u2019. No, \u2018I come here to help the club to achieve what we want and then I need to convince the coaching staff that I deserve to play\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why always it is important to have the right players, the right balance and then accept what is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Atlanta, the Blues took a 12th-minute lead against Newcastle through summer signing Jackson.<\/p>\n
Ian Maatsen, who returned from his loan at Burnley where he helped them to win the Championship title last season, played in the striker, who finished calmly past Martin Dubravka.<\/p>\n
Newcastle drew level just before halftime when Miguel Almiron, playing in the home stadium of Atlanta United the team he left to join Newcastle, curled the ball into the far corner with an excellent finish past Kepa after Cucurella missed his interception.<\/p>\n
Ben Chilwell almost snatched a win for Chelsea in added time but his shot from the edge of the area was superbly saved by Nick Pope.<\/p>\n
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