Ben Chilwell has been reacting to Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent on Tuesday after just one season at the club.

The Blues are now without a manager, though that may not be for too long.

Chelsea are said to have a four-man shortlist of potential replacements for Pochettino, with Roberto De Zerbi just one name on it.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank is also thought to be under consideration for the job.

Ben Chilwell on Mauricio Pochettino exit

It is fair to say that Pochettino’s departure caught Chilwell by surprise.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Chelsea vice-captain said: “Yeah, you know, it was a surprise [Pochettino leaving], I think, with the end of the season, how well the team did, it was definitely a surprise.

“But good luck to him wherever he goes, moving forward. And we have got to look forward now as a club.”

Mauricio Pochettino’s departure a surprise

Chilwell’s response is understandable. Things were not always rosy between Pochettino and Chelsea, otherwise the Argentine would still be at the club.

However, there was a lot to be positive about at the end of the season to the point where you would have expected him to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Behind the scenes, though, there were clearly too many problems for that marriage to continue.

The club are now trying to move on quickly it seems as they consider the likes of De Zerbi and Frank.

Like Pochettino, De Zerbi also left his club, Brighton & Hove Albion, by mutual consent, so bringing him to west London should not be too difficult if that is the path Chelsea want to go down. The Italian did an excellent job at the Amex Stadium, guiding the Seagulls to the Europa League after finishing sixth last term, so is a good candidate for the vacancy.