Another chapter is set to begin for Chelsea as the club starts talks with Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca, who has recently guided the team back to the Premier League. The Italian manager led Leicester to victory in the Championship, surpassing competitors like Ipswich Town, Leeds United, and Southampton.
According to reports from football.london, significant progress has been made regarding Maresca’s transition. He is a leading candidate despite the presence of other potential managers like Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank. Maresca is tipped to replace Mauricio Pochettino following his unexpected departure.
Maresca’s prior stint as a development coach at Manchester City provided him with valuable experience working with Chelsea talents like Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia. Palmer, following his unexpected transfer from Greater Manchester, has silenced his critics by scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 Premier League matches.
Conversely, Lavia’s first season at Chelsea did not meet expectations due to injuries. After transferring from Southampton amidst much public interest and beating Liverpool for his signature, his initial top-flight season was cut short, totaling just 32 minutes on the field.
Looking ahead, Lavia is eager to thrive under Maresca, who played a significant role in his early development. Despite a challenging time under Pochettino due to factors beyond his control, Lavia has expressed positive sentiments about Maresca’s influence and is hopeful about revitalizing his career at Chelsea under his guidance.
Embracing Growth and Team Dynamics in Football
“I find great satisfaction in recovering the ball and passing through the lines,” he shared with GOAL in 2021. “Enzo has been instrumental in this, teaching me to position myself on the half-turn to better anticipate the game ahead. This strategy has now become second nature to me.
“While I am aware of my strengths, I am also open to learning from my mistakes. My teammates, who bring a wealth of experience including some first-team training, have been incredibly supportive. Their guidance is invaluable, and I am committed to continuous improvement.”
Transfer Speculations and Squad Updates
Conor Gallagher is persistently rumored to be considering a departure from Stamford Bridge, despite leading the team into European competition after a strong finish to the season under Pochettino. With just one year left on his current contract, clubs including Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in him.
The return of Lavia from injury would bolster an already strong midfield lineup for Maresca, featuring the £200 million duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. While the potential hiring of the Leicester City manager has sparked some concerns, Lavia has proven his ability to maximize player performance.
