Chelsea hero Pat Nevin has defended delays in naming Mauricio Pochettino as new manager.

Pochettino is expected to be named Chelsea manager after the end of the Premier League season on Sunday.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock is critical of the decision, stating on BBC Sport: "What are they waiting for?

"If I'm a player, I want to know who is in charge and what their philosophy is. What my future is.

"I was told that Lampard is his 'eyes and ears' around the training ground but everyone has different opinions - what's the point?"

Ex-Chelsea winger Nevin instead countered: "If he came in now - given his Tottenham background, which is not to be ignored for Chelsea fans - he could have a stinker of a start," said Nevin.

"This way, he sits in the background and almost gets a pre pre-season and then has the entirety of the summer. It will look more intelligent then with his team, his group, rather than being parachuted in."

But Warnock responded, saying "I think it's cowardly".

He was backed up by ex-Chelsea defender Robert Huth, who suggested the club were "kicking the can down the road".