If nothing else, almost six years at Tottenham and 18 months at Paris Saint-Germain would have taught Mauricio Pochettino how to be a diplomat.
It would be impossible not to learn such skills as the public face of a club run by the divisive Daniel Levy and then having to try and manage the out-of-control egos, some of them forced on him, at France’s biggest club.
Subsequently, reading Pochettino is not the most straightforward task.
‘I am happy’ was something he pointed out multiple times ahead of the final game of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America, a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund.
Happy about the tour and the club’s work in the transfer market, as well as with all of his players and Chelsea’s preparations ahead of the new season.
Mauricio Pochettino could be forgiven for thinking one thing and saying another in public after his first month at Chelsea, just eight days away from the new Premier League campaign
The Argentine manager has overseen a successful pre-season tour in the United States in July
The Blues ended their campaign in the States with a draw against Dortmund on Wednesday
Much of that can be taken at face value, as Pochettino cut a relaxed figure during his later media interactions in the US having aired some frustrations while in Atlanta.
But he would also be forgiven for saying one thing in public and feeling a little different about certain aspects privately.
Chelsea would have taken plenty from their time in the US. Striker Nicolas Jackson, 22, has looked like he could contribute significantly, and sooner than might have been anticipated following his £32m move from Villarreal.
Christopher Nkunku has hit the ground running and scored three goals on the tour, while youngsters Levi Colwill, Ian Maatsen and Bashir Humphreys have impressed and Mykhailo Mudryk has looked sharp.
Securing Colwill’s long-term future is a major boost for Chelsea and there is a refreshing feel within the camp following the influx of youth.
But the positivity is tempered by doubts about exactly what such a squad are capable of, where expectations should be and the shortage of experience.
Results have been encouraging, Chelsea are unbeaten on their US tour, as have the signs of the tactical work Pochettino has been able to implement.
The concerns remain around the squad the new head coach will have for the new season. A lot of good work has been done by Chelsea’s recruitment team to clear players out. But still, with just over a week until the Liverpool game, Chelsea’s squad remains significantly unbalanced and wantaway Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech remain unsold.
They are well-stocked in some areas of the pitch and worryingly short in others, so Pochettino wants to address this imbalance.
New summer signing Nicolas Jackson is one of handful of players that has looked very bright
Pochettino will also be reassured about the securing of Levi Colwill long-term with a new deal
Chelsea are looking to continue recruiting but the drafting in of Robert Sanchez is a positive
He will be happy with two or three new arrivals but there is a view there could be as many as four or five before the window closes. Like any manager, Pochettino would have preferred that the bulk of business had already been done.
In goal, where Kepa Arrizabalaga remains an unconvincing presence, they have moved for Brighton’s Robert Sanchez to provide competition. In central midfield, the mass exodus combined with difficulties prising Moises Caicedo from Brighton have left Chelsea short. Caicedo remains the priority but there is no expectation at Chelsea that Brighton are bluffing and will budge from their hefty £100million price tag, so alternatives such as Leeds’ Tyler Adams are having to be considered.
Chelsea plan to build their midfield around Enzo Fernandez but who partners him against Liverpool remains an issue.
Andrey Santos has looked promising but is still only 19 and the other leading candidate, Conor Gallagher, the club are open to selling. Up front, aside from the promise of Jackson and quality of Nkunku, the established goalscorer expected to be signed this summer has yet to arrive. There is time to resolve all of those issues before the window closes on September 1 but Chelsea will be three games into the season by then.
The Dortmund game was Chelsea’s last warm-up fixture, 10 days before their competitive campaign kicks off.
Of their biggest rivals, only Manchester City arranged less and all will play for the final time nearer to the opening day. Chelsea’s pre-season was organised before Pochettino’s arrival. He insisted there was ‘nothing wrong to say’ about it but also pointed out ‘that is the pre-season we found when we arrived,’ perhaps a hint he might have done things differently given the chance.
There were no plans to arrange an additional game, even behind closed doors, this weekend due to the tiring nature of their US tour.
Christopher Nkunku’s suspected knee injury on Wednesday night could cause some concern
But more worrying is Chelsea’s failure to sort deals for wantaway stars like Romelu Lukaku
Only against Dortmund did Pochettino field a team in America that had the look of one that could run out against Liverpool.
Aside from Nkunku, who was forced off with a knee injury which will be assessed by the club, the other 10 players got just over 70 minutes together in a clear indication of Pochettino’s thinking.
At his unveiling the head coach was not hiding from the requirements of his new employers, saying: ‘At Chelsea, you need to deliver from day one.’ It is almost to be expected that Chelsea start the season as very much a work in progress.
If his side does not hit the ground running, expect Pochettino to pick his words about why very carefully.