Chelsea fans will be hoping that their club can finally end the wait for their new manager to be confirmed today.
The Blues have been expecting Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca to be confirmed for the past week after it became clear he would be the man to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. While the weekend passed with no official announcement, reports late on Sunday suggest that the wait will end today.
Football.london understands there were no issues about Maresca’s deal and that it was just a matter of compensation needing to be finalised. Over the weekend, rumours came out about Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo choosing to regret Newcastle United in favour of a switch to Chelsea.
The centre-back has previously been on the books of Manchester City and would act as a new option following the departure of Thiago Silva at the expiry of his contract. Maresca is thought to have approved this deal to go through.
Elsewhere, City midfielder and former Sheffield United loanee James McAtee could be on the Blues’ radar if Maresca enters the building. It is understood the Italian had shortlisted the Englishman as an option to join the Foxes in the summer but has no problems adding him to Chelsea’s wanted list.
With all that being said, football.london has you covered for all the latest Chelsea transfer news and rumours ahead of the summer window opening in less than two weeks.
Keep across all the updates from Chelsea below:
07:46Ed Syers
Maresca could land his dream signing
As Chelsea get ready to finally confirm their new boss, Enzo Maresca is likely thinking about how he can stamp his own identity on the squad – starting in the transfer market.
One player he could look to sign is Manchester City midfielder James McAtee. The 21-year-old has spent the last two seasons at Sheffield United, helping them to promotion but failing to keep the Blades in the top flight.
The Sun report that McAtee was close to joining Maresca at Leicester City in a £20 million deal last summer, but ultimately chose a Premier League loan with the Yorkshire side instead.
Jack Flintham
Maresca signs Chelsea deal
The Athletic reported on Sunday evening that Maresca has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge with an option for a further year held by the club.
He shall be bringing six of his coaching staff from Leicester with him – Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello.
They will be integrated with Chelsea specialists such as Ben Roberts, Hilario and Bernardo Cueva. It is understood a £10m compensation package was agreed between the Foxes and Blues on Sunday.
His announcement as manager is expected today.
Jack Flintham
What Adarabioyo signing means for Chalobah
Chelsea’s pursuit of Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo has ‘no relation’ to the future of current first-team option Trevoh Chalobah, football.london understands. Having made progress towards reaching a deal for Adarabioyo, he is now close to becoming the first summer signing.
Although Enzo Maresca is yet to be announced as the new head coach, there is nothing to worry about on that front and Adarabioyo is well-placed to come in alongside the manager. Maresca will sign a five-year deal with the club and has already discussed possible transfers with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, including that of centre-backs.
Jack Flintham
Who are Chelsea tipped to sign this summer?
As we head towards the end of Sunday, we have decided to take a look at the players bet365 punters believe will join Chelsea this summer.
- Giorgi Mamardashvili – Goalkeeper – Valencia – 5/1
- Michael Olise – Forward – Crystal Palace – 5/2
- Pedro Neto – Forward – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 10/1
- Victor Osimhen – Forward – Napoli – 2/1
- Viktor Gyokeres – Forward – Sporting Lisbon – 7/1