As new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca takes charge, he aims to revive the club’s fortunes, heralding a new era at Stamford Bridge. Having successfully led Leicester City back to the Premier League, the Italian coach now embarks on his third managerial role, bringing with him ambitious goals.
A notable challenge awaits Maresca when he faces his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, in a Chelsea vs. Manchester City match on August 18. This master vs. apprentice clash is highly anticipated, but Maresca has numerous tasks and decisions to tackle before the season opener.
Maresca’s pre-season has been challenging, particularly with a dressing room issue involving Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez was caught singing a song containing racist and homophobic slurs about French players, creating a crisis that Maresca must manage.
On the pitch, Chelsea is focused on acquiring a new striker after struggling without a reliable forward last season. Christopher Nkunku’s injury woes throughout the 2023-24 campaign highlighted the need for reinforcement in the attack.
Victor Osimhen, the Napoli striker, stands out as Chelsea’s primary transfer target this summer. The Nigerian forward is eager to join the Blues, but Chelsea must meet Napoli’s £110 million asking price, which remains a significant hurdle.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has shown interest in Osimhen, with reports indicating that the Ligue 1 club is in discussions to sign him, putting pressure on Chelsea to act swiftly.
On the outgoing front, Romelu Lukaku’s future at Chelsea is uncertain. The Belgian striker, who spent the previous season on loan at Roma, is reportedly of interest to Napoli.
Antonio Conte, an admirer of Lukaku, could facilitate his move to the Italian club. Chelsea needs to resolve Lukaku’s situation to balance their squad and finances.
Securing a regular goalscorer like Osimhen is crucial for Chelsea. Last season, midfielder Cole Palmer emerged as the top scorer with 25 goals, highlighting the team’s reliance on contributions from the midfield.
Maresca’s task is to build a cohesive squad that can compete at the highest level, addressing both incoming and outgoing transfers to ensure Chelsea is ready for the challenges ahead.
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