Enzo Maresca has reached an agreement to become the new Chelsea manager (Image: Getty)
Enzo Maresca has reportedly identified three areas of the pitch he wants to strengthen at Chelsea. Arriving at Stamford Bridge before the summer transfer window has even begun will give the outgoing Leicester City boss time to configure a plan with his new sporting directors.
Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have overseen Chelsea's much-criticised transfer operation since February last year. The pair are said to have built up an instant rapport with Maresca, who has agreed a deal to replace Mauricio Pochettino in west London.
Talks have taken place in Spain over the past few days, where Maresca has been on holiday after guiding Leicester to the Championship title in his debut season at the King Power Stadium.
Part of those talks was centred around pinning down summer transfer targets to pursue once Maresca formally takes the reins. According to The Telegraph, the 44-year-old wants a new goalkeeper, a left-back and a striker.
Chelsea have signed two goalkeepers - Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic - within the last 12 months, but Maresca is believed to be keen on a stopper confident in possession, akin to Manchester City's Ederson or Manchester United's Andre Onana.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella has failed to live up to his billing since a big-money move from Brighton, and Ben Chilwell hardly played in 2023/24 due to persistent injury problems.
Djordje Petrovic could be replaced as Chelsea's No 1 goalkeeper less than a year after joining (Image: Getty)
Up top, Nicolas Jackson's finishing left plenty to be desired this season as Christopher Nkunku spent months on the sidelines. Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and RB Leipzig youngster Benjamin Sesko have both been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, although it remains to be seen whether Maresca is as keen on the duo as the Blues' recruitment team are.
Player sales are likely to be required for Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to pour more money into the Blues' expensively assembled squad, and a number of homegrown players could be first on the chopping block.
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Tottenham and Aston Villa target Conor Gallagher has long been linked with an exit, despite captaining the side for long periods in 2023/24. Trevoh Chalobah may also have earned himself new admirers after finishing the campaign strongly in defence.
Meanwhile, Chelsea want £30million to sell Armando Broja, and Ian Maatsen's contract includes a £35m release clause. Exits could be tied up quickly if the Blues find themselves under pressure to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) before the June 30 deadline.
