Dele interview was too painful for Poch to watch in full

Mauricio Pochettino could not bring himself to watch the full version of Dele Alli's emotional interview with Gary Neville.

Speaking on The Overlap last week, the Everton midfielder revealed he was sexually abused at the age of six and was dealing drugs just two years later.

He also lifted the lid on how he battled a sleeping pill addiction and only came out of rehab last month as he struggled with his mental health.

And Chelsea boss Pochettino, who managed Dele at Tottenham, plans to meet his former player when the Blues get back from their pre-season tour of the United States. 

In an exclusive chat with ESPN, the 51-year-old Argentinian said: "Of course, it was really tough for me to see him. I didn't finish the interview because it was so painful. 

"He knows how we [Pochettino and his coaching staff] love him, how important he is for us as a person. 

"Like a player, he was amazing. But like a person, he has a big, big heart. And of course, we are in contact. 

"After the USA tour I hope to see him in London, to meet him and give him a big hug. 

"Always, it is tough when you love a person but they show in an interview like this, it is really, really painful. 

"But he is a strong, unbelievable guy and for sure he will become stronger."

As Chelsea prepare for thier first pre-season game tonight against League Two newcomers Wrexham in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Pochettino is likely to see more players head for the exit.

Star names including Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic have already departed this summer as the Blues look to erase the memory of a dismal 2022-23 campaign. 

And Poch expects striker Romelu Lukaku to be the next to leave. He added: "It is obvious what is going on with him. 

"I think in between the club and the player, they share the same similar ideas and we are working on that to try to fix it and have the best solution for both parties."