Enzo Maresca is currently putting his Chelsea team through their paces following their return to Cobham for pre-season training on Monday. It was the first opportunity for the Italian to work with his new team after replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the Chelsea helm in June.
Training footage from the club highlighted that Maresca is very hands-on when it comes to work on the training pitch and he could be seen trying to implement his ideas on his squad. The former Leicester City boss certainly has a number of players to work with at present despite Euro 2024 and the Copa America still being played.
Mykhailo Mudryk, who was in action for Ukraine only 12 days before Chelsea’s training return, was one of those back at Cobham after sacrificing part of his summer break in order to be there for the first few days of pre-season training under the new boss. Chelsea have been rather active in the transfer market so far this summer and there’s still plenty of time for more incomings and outgoings before the new season commences.
In regards to those players who are now back training for the new season at Cobham, could any of them be set to depart before the summer transfer deadline as Maresca’s squad starts to take shape? football.london takes a look below.
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah will be in the headlines this summer regarding a transfer exit despite becoming a key part of the Chelsea backline in the final few months of last season. Maresca does have a number of defensive options available to him at present, with Wesley Fofana back to fitness after a torrid time through injury and Tosin Adarabioyo joining from Fulham.
Chelsea should certainly not be short on options if Chalobah is to finally depart Stamford Bridge amid so much speculation regarding his future in the past two transfer windows.
READ MORE: Mykhailo Mudryk has already made a big sacrifice for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea this summer
READ MORE: Maresca’s Mudryk moment, George and Lavia train – 5 things spotted in Chelsea’s training return
Andrey Santos
Chelsea need to decide what comes next for Andrey Santos after a mixed 2023/24 campaign. Restricted to only two appearances for Nottingham Forest in the first part of the season, the Brazilian enjoyed a much better time of it after linking up with Strasbourg.
The 20-year-old’s loan spell in France was certainly positive and it was reported back in May that they would like the Chelsea man to return on loan in 2024/25. If he is not to be in Maresca’s thinking, another year out on loan would be best for all parties.
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Cesare Casadei
Just like Andrey Santos, Cesare Casadei’s 2023/24 loan spell was certainly mixed. Making a loan switch to Leicester City and linking up with Enzo Maresca at the King Power Stadium, Chelsea shocked the Foxes in January by recalling the Italian.
Casadei was a regular in the Chelsea squad upon his return and he went on to make 11 appearances for the Blues. While Maresca does know exactly what the youngster can offer following their short time together at Leicester, Casadei has a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and a loan exit could prove to be more beneficial.
Bashir Humphreys
Bashir Humphreys is now back at Cobham after playing 26 times in total for Swansea City last season. Picking up some worthwhile experience over the past 18 months following a loan spell with German side SC Paderborn the previous campaign, another move could be on the agenda for the 21-year-old.
Angelo Gabriel
Angelo Gabriel got regular minutes in the tank for Strasbourg last season but his campaign was brought to an early end through injury. Angelo will certainly give Maresca options on either flank but a number of players are ahead of him in the Chelsea pecking order as things stand.
A strong pre-season from the 19-year-old could give the head coach something to really think about.
Alfie Gilchrist
Alfie Gilchrist enjoyed an incredible breakout year at Chelsea last season and deservedly opened his account for the Blues with a goal against Everton. His football at Stamford Bridge could be somewhat limited next season, however, especially as the injured players from last campaign will be returning to action ahead of the new term.
football.london understands that Chelsea are open to loan offers for the academy graduate this summer. There should certainly be plenty of offers on the table after a really strong year in SW6.
Deivid Washington
Joining Chelsea from Santos last August, Washington went on to make three senior appearances for the Blues in the 2023/24 campaign. The forward was an unused substitute on 17 occasions in the Premier League, with Pochettino electing against putting him on in the closing stages of matches.
After barely playing last season, the youngster really could do with upping his minutes from August onwards.
David Datro Fofana
David Datro Fofana is now back at the club’s base after returning from his loan spell with Burnley. Despite the Clarets’ relegation, the attacker caught the eye at Turf Moore and registered four goals and one assist in his 15 games, with the youngster also scoring twice and contributing one assist during his 17 games for Union Berlin in the first part of the campaign.
Another move could come to fruition for Fofana unless he manages to force his way into Maresca’s Chelsea plans.
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