There is a new regime at Chelsea as Enzo Maresca looks to stamp his mark in his first Premier League season. It feels like a lifetime ago when the Italian replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the Stamford Bridge helm but preparations are in full swing ahead of an important campaign.
Maresca led Leicester City back to the English top-flight, after one year away, but was soon lured away from the King Power Stadium for Europa Conference League football and the glamour of West London. This summer, the Blues have signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin Adarabioyo – establishing themselves as one of the busiest clubs in the market so far.
Away from the incomings and outgoings, Maresca has the task of re-establishing Chelsea as not only a European contender but in the Premier League conversation too. In the last two seasons, the club have finished in 12th and sixth, respectively, with a strong run seeing them make a late surge for Conference League qualification.
Chelsea are determined to bring a centre-forward to the club this summer, they will not pay what they deem to be ‘over the odds’ or panic buy as the window draws to a close. Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, Christopher Nkunku and new arrival, Guiu, are among the options in Maresca’s forward line.
The 44-year-old often deploys his squad in a 4-3-3 formation and will have the task of finding a position for his stars within the first team with an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. With the transfer market comes a plethora of names linked with a move to the capital, among them are the likes of Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres Samu Omorodion, Jhon Duran and Jonathan David.
There has been a suggestion of interest in Spain’s Euro 2024 breakout star Nico Williams after the Athletic Bilbao forward shone in Germany, as La Roja picked up a record-breaking fourth European Championships crown. Chelsea could not have wished for a tougher start to Maresca’s reign with the visit of reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, on Sunday, August 18.
Osimhen has been the name on many people’s lips after his heroics in Napoli’s historic Serie A winning campaign. The Nigerian was the subject of intense speculation over his future with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Arsenal mooted with a move for his services. He faces a juncture in his career in Naples after the club suffered the worst title defence in Italian top-flight history as they staggered to a 10th-place finish, with rumours mounting.
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is now at the helm but faces the stern task of retaining the 25-year-old, despite his protestations that he wants to keep him.
David, a Canadian international, has been frequently linked with moves to the Premier League as the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United have been named as potential suitors. Chelsea have started talks with David’s representatives over a possible move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
A reported top target is Samu Omorodion. The 20-year-old Atletico Madrid striker has emerged as an option this summer, with reports claiming that the Spanish club rejected an approach. Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran flirted with the prospect of a move to Chelsea after he became the topic of a charm offensive from the Blues, however in recent weeks the reports have cooled.
With the increasing fear of breaching Financial Fair Play and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability, there is the likelihood they will need to sell players before they can buy some of the best talents in Europe and the rest of the world. Christopher Nkunku saw his debut campaign hampered by injury, after the hype that surrounded his arrival, he failed to live up to expectations as he was ravaged with problems.
Nicolas Jackson also had an indifferent season in his Premier League, Chelsea have key decisions to make in the transfer market but one would suspect that some of the big-money arrivals could be used as makeweights for strengthening in key areas.
Chelsea supporters will not forget Cole Palmer’s performances in a hurry. His debut season for the Blues saw him scoop a series of accolades including the Chelsea Player of the Year voted for by the fans, as well as the Players’ Player of the Year Award plus the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season and the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Year.
Palmer will likely be one of the first names on the teamsheet and Maresca will be tasked with finding a place within the starting XI – continuing his form. But who accompanies him will be the difference between success and failure.
