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Tyler Adams ‘was in London’ for Chelsea transfer before ‘one thing’ cost midfielder move to join USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge

<p>In the summer of 2023, the United States international was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-on-christmas-card-list-how-usmnt-star-tyler-adams-upset-leeds-pushing-23m-transfer-bournemouth/blt2617f59365adbda5" target="_blank">preparing to sever ties with Leeds on the back of their relegation</a> out of the Premier League. Having proven himself in the English top-flight, a switch to Stamford Bridge was speculated on.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Pochettino <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-mauricio-pochettino-why-tyler-adams-transfer-chelsea-collapsed-explains-bournemouth-roster/blt511ed5bd108ea192" target="_blank">wanted to bring in a player that he is now working with at international level</a>, but saw unfortunate injury problems scupper those plans. Adams was all set to sign, but ended up leaving London and heading to the south coast at Bournemouth in a £23 million ($30m) deal.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Adams has told <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/adams-usa-interview " target="_blank"><em>FIFA’s official website</em></a> of how close he came to joining the Blues: “I was very close. I was in London ready for the move to happen but some things fell through one way (or the other). A lot of people have to sign off on certain things for a transfer to happen and one thing fell through so they went with other options. So I ended up at Bournemouth, which I couldn't be more happy about now.”</p>

WHAT TYLER ADAMS SAID

<p>Adams is now playing under Pochettino and believes the Argentine tactician is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/number-one-mauricio-pochettino-lofty-ambitions-usmnt-overall-objective-world-best/blt87b617f51835bb98" target="_blank">right man to lead the U.S. towards a home World Cup</a> in 2026. He added: “I think that he is going to bring a level of respect and belief in our team. Obviously, his resume speaks for itself and he's been able to establish so much success at different clubs. </p><p>“Now being able to work with the national team and the talent pool we have, I think he's going to bring a winning culture and a winning mentality. I'm really excited about that. The way that he speaks about the game and what he views for our game in the future are also positive. As a fairly young team, it's important that we start to work towards those beliefs and create that culture.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Pochettino has endured an early setback in his USMNT reign, having seen them suffer a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/worried-future-usmnt-questions-golden-generation-clint-dempsey-failures-christian-pulisic-2026-world-cup-countdown/blt157e368b27994496" target="_blank">shock defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals</a>, but still has enough talent at his disposal to suggest that a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/christian-pulisic-how-mauricio-pochettino-take-usmnt-new-level-tim-ream-evolution-former-chelsea-psg-coach/blt40861db4e1d473c3" target="_blank">positive impact can be made at FIFA’s flagship event next summer</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

Tyler Adams ‘was in London’ for Chelsea transfer before ‘one thing’ cost midfielder move to join USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge | Goal.com UK

Tyler Adams “was in London” to complete a transfer to Chelsea, but “one thing” cost him a move to join current USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino.