They were foolish for selling him, they sold him for just £17M and now he has become the best player in the world and he’s at the top of the world” – Former Chelsea Boss Mauricio Pochettino says player Premier League club sold for £17M in 2019 is now an absolute world class and has turned into a beast

In a stunning revelation that has set tongues wagging across the footballing world, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has ignited a massive conversation with one bold claim — that a Premier League club made a grave mistake by letting a certain player go for just £17 million in 2019. Today, that same player is being hailed as one of the best in the world.

During a recent interview, Pochettino didn’t shy away from expressing his disbelief at how a top talent slipped through the cracks. “They were foolish for selling him,” the Argentine said bluntly. “They sold him for just £17M, and now he has become the best player in the world and he’s at the top of the world.”

Though he didn’t mention the player’s name directly, social media erupted with speculation — and two major names quickly dominated the conversation: Moussa Diaby and Serge Gnabry.

Diaby, who moved from PSG to Bayer Leverkusen for the exact fee mentioned by Pochettino, has been nothing short of sensational since that transfer. Known for his explosive pace, dazzling footwork, and increasingly lethal finishing, Diaby has carved out a name for himself in Europe and is now thriving at Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The French international has been an ever-present menace for defenders, and his current form has seen him touted as one of the most electrifying wingers in the game. It’s a transformation that has stunned fans and pundits alike — especially considering how PSG let him go with little fanfare.

On the other hand, many believe Pochettino may have been referring to Serge Gnabry — a player once dismissed by Arsenal and ridiculed during a difficult loan stint at West Brom. Gnabry’s journey since then has been the stuff of legends. He joined Bayern Munich, where he blossomed into a world-class forward, helped the German giants win the UEFA Champions League, and became a core figure for both club and country.

Gnabry’s story is especially remarkable because of how low his stock had fallen in England before his resurgence in Germany. Once seen as a Premier League reject, he has silenced every critic and proven that talent, when nurtured properly, can flourish far beyond expectations.

Whether Pochettino had Diaby or Gnabry in mind, the message is crystal clear — Premier League clubs have often been too hasty in discarding young, developing talents without giving them the time and support to grow.

This comment from the former Chelsea boss has triggered a fresh wave of reflection about the Premier League’s transfer culture. How many world-class players have been let go before reaching their peak? How many could have become superstars had they been allowed to mature in the right environment?

Football fans have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. Many are blaming shortsighted recruitment policies and over-reliance on instant success, which often sees young players sacrificed for ready-made stars. The resulting sentiment: English clubs might be losing future legends due to impatience.

Pochettino’s own experience at Chelsea adds weight to his comments. During his tenure, he managed several young players under intense pressure, and his remarks now seem to echo a deeper frustration with how talent development is often overlooked in England’s top flight.

The Argentine manager, who also worked wonders with youth at Tottenham Hotspur, has long been an advocate for nurturing young talent. His latest statement, though, goes beyond advocacy — it sounds more like a scathing indictment of the system.

Scouts and technical directors across the Premier League may now be forced to re-examine some of their past decisions. Letting go of players like Diaby or Gnabry for a bargain fee could be seen not only as poor business but as an indictment of the club’s vision.

And while fans continue to debate which player Pochettino truly meant, the overall point remains: Some of football’s most dazzling stars today were once ignored, undervalued, or worse — discarded.

One former Arsenal fan page even described the situation as “painful déjà vu,” recalling how both Gnabry and other young players had thrived after leaving the Emirates. The same sentiment has been echoed by PSG fans watching Diaby’s meteoric rise in England.

It’s not just about what these players have achieved individually — it’s about what could’ve been for the clubs that once had them. Imagine Diaby flying down the wing for PSG today, or Gnabry leading Arsenal’s attack during their recent resurgence.

Mauricio Pochettino may have moved on from the Premier League, but his words have left a lasting sting. His brutally honest assessment is a wake-up call for clubs who continue to chase instant success at the cost of long-term growth.

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Whoever the mystery £17 million player is, he’s made the doubters eat their words — and Pochettino has made sure the footballing world won’t forget that mistake anytime soon.

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