How Pochettino can solve Chelsea’s midfield crisis thanks to a 13th century poet

IT IS HIGHLY unlikely that Mauricio Pochettino is familiar with the work of Rumi.

Whether the renowned Islamic poet and mystic had the tactical dilemmas facing Chelsea’s head coach in mind while dreaming up his scholarly works in 13th century Afghanistan, we will never know.

It’s fair to say Rumi was not a regular in The Shed at Stamford Bridge. Yet one of his most famous quotations strikes right at the heart of Pochettino’s problems trying to transform his team into consistent challengers at the top end of the Premier League.

It was Rumi who wrote so prophetically: “Two birds tied together. They will not be able to fly even though they have four wings.”

He could have scribbled that on the back of his programme from so many of Chelsea’s games this season with regard to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

And it is with that in mind that an unfortunate hernia issue for one half of the most expensive midfield duo in British football could turn out to be a blessing in disguise that even Rumi wouldn’t have seen coming.

There is a feeling among regular Chelsea watchers that while it is a blow on a personal level for Fernandez to be ruled out for the rest of the season with his injury problem, it may yet turn to Pochettino’s advantage.

For it allows Caicedo to roam that patch in front of his defence with greater freedom.

Both players are exceptional individual talents.

Caicedo was superb for Brighton last season, prompting Chelsea to splash a potential British record £115million on the Ecuadorian.

Fernandez is a World Cup winner aged just 23. A quick look at his YouTube highlights underlines the dazzling skills in his feet.

You cannot blame Chelsea for being tempted with both players. Yet put them together and maybe this is part of the