'We come here to build and, at the end of the day, we just want to try to win,' the Argentine coach explained ahead of tonight's friendly against Brighton at Lincoln Financial Field.

'Every team comes in a different place. My staff and I know we are in different zone to the other teams who have continuity, but we are preparing for the next year, focused on our objectives, and preparing a base for next season.

'We want Chelsea to get back to where it belongs – and where we want it to be.'

The 30-man squad Pochettino is overseeing in the USA has a very different look to the one that finished the 2022/23 season. It is a melting pot of honed talent and undoubted potential.

That blend of youthful exuberance and top-flight experience proved too much for Wrexham; the League Two side were dispatched 5-0 in our first pre-season outing.

Brighton, who last season finished sixth in the Premier League, will undoubtedly provide a sterner test. But it is one Pochettino knows is needed.

'Last season they played so well,' said the Chelsea head coach. 'And they are signing players with experience for their squad. So I think it's going to be a tough game. 

'It is pre-season and we want to win and perform in our best way, but now is the moment to build the team and to see the young players play.'

There was a welcome boost for Chelsea on Thursday when Reece James joined the squad in Philadelphia; the England international was unable to fly out at the start of the week due to illness.

It will be down to Pochettino as to whether the 23-year-old features against Brighton. There will be no risks taken by the the Chelsea boss.

‘We need to manage the players,' he said at his pre-match press conference. 'Reece (James) arrived yesterday from the UK and it would be easy for me to say go and play, but there is a risk.

'Maybe nothing would happen and it would be ok. But if something happened, maybe we have to wait one or two months. So the objective is to provide the best tools for the individuals and set the principles.’

All pre-season tour matches* will be available to watch live and free of charge on the official Chelsea app and the official Chelsea website. Broadcasting for each game starts 30 minutes before kick-off.

(*excludes USA and UK where the Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham matches will be shown on NBC Sports and Sky Sports respectively)