“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.

Mauricio Pochettino, one of the most respected tacticians in modern football, has stunned the footballing world with a bold and brutally honest assessment of a transfer that, in hindsight, looks like one of the worst business decisions in recent Premier League history. The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager didn’t hold back his thoughts as he revisited the story of a player sold for just £17 million in 2019 — a player who has now emerged as one of the most lethal and electrifying stars on the global stage.

“They were foolish for selling him,” Pochettino declared in an exclusive interview earlier this week. “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.”

While Pochettino didn’t directly name the club or the player in question, fans across social media instantly jumped into detective mode. And two prominent names kept appearing in the discussion — Moussa Diaby and Serge Gnabry.

Moussa Diaby, the jet-heeled French winger, was offloaded by Paris Saint-Germain to Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 for a modest £17 million. At the time, PSG had an abundance of talent, and Diaby was not seen as a future starter. But fast forward to 2025, and the decision looks like a footballing disaster for the Parisians.

Now a mainstay in the French national team and a devastating force for Aston Villa in the Premier League, Diaby has matured into a complete attacker. His pace, flair, vision, and finishing ability have made him a nightmare for defenders and a darling of highlight reels across Europe.

But then there’s Serge Gnabry — a once-overlooked gem in the Premier League. Sold by Arsenal after an unsuccessful loan spell at West Bromwich Albion, where then-manager Tony Pulis famously declared he wasn’t “at the level required,” Gnabry has since silenced every doubter. The German international has become a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich, scoring crucial goals in key matches and consistently ranking among Europe’s best wingers.

Pochettino’s words could apply to either of these two — and possibly even others. But the deeper message is clear: the Premier League has a dangerous tendency to give up too early on raw talent.

“Too many times, we let go of young players because they’re not polished yet,” Pochettino continued. “But what they need is minutes, trust, and the right coaching environment. We don’t always provide that.”

The debate that Pochettino has reignited goes beyond one club or player. It cuts into the heart of a Premier League culture that often values short-term results over long-term player development. Clubs are quick to splash cash on proven stars while allowing their own academy products or promising youngsters to walk away for peanuts.

It’s a recurring theme in English football. For every Phil Foden who’s nurtured and allowed to bloom, there are multiple Diabys, Gnabrys, and even players like Jadon Sancho — let go too soon, only to explode elsewhere.

The anger from fans is understandable. Supporters invest emotionally in young players. They cheer their debuts, follow their loan spells, and hope for their success. So, when those players succeed spectacularly elsewhere, the pain feels personal.

Social media has erupted with reactions to Pochettino’s quote. Some fans blamed club boards for prioritizing financial gain over footballing sense. Others pointed fingers at managers who failed to spot potential under their noses. A few even called for clubs to insert higher buy-back clauses when selling young talent abroad — just in case.

Former players have chimed in, too. “I played with [Diaby/Gnabry] when he was 18 — we all knew he had something special,” said one ex-teammate on Sky Sports. “It’s crazy that clubs didn’t give him the platform.”

The situation has left scouts red-faced and former managers ducking criticism. And it raises tough questions: How many future Ballon d’Or winners have English clubs unknowingly released? How many have slipped through the cracks?

If anything, Pochettino’s brutally honest words should serve as a wake-up call to clubs not just in England, but across Europe. Youth development isn’t just about training — it’s about vision, trust, and timing.

Interestingly, Aston Villa — who signed Diaby — are now reaping the rewards. Under Unai Emery, the Villans have built a dynamic side, and Diaby has been a revelation in their attacking line. His combination with Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey has been one of the most feared in the league.

As for Gnabry, he continues to shine in Germany but remains a haunting reminder of what could’ve been for Arsenal and the Premier League as a whole. Both stories, however, carry the same moral: talent needs time.

Pochettino’s comments are likely to fuel more discussions in boardrooms, dressing rooms, and academies in England. Because in football, a £17 million “flop” today could easily be the £170 million superstar of tomorrow.

If there’s one lesson to be taken from all of this, it’s that clubs need to look beyond the present. The next global superstar might already be in their ranks — waiting for someone to believe in them.

So, whether he meant Moussa Diaby, Serge Gnabry, or another hidden gem, Pochettino’s statement echoes loud and clear: Never underestimate raw talent.