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Chelsea are keen to back Enzo Maresca this summer and are ready to make at least four key signings for the incoming boss – though they will need to sell players first.
The Italian coach is set to be confirmed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor imminently, with the west London club having agreed a compensation package with Leicester City.
A large part of Maresca’s appeal is that he is seen as an ideal fit for Chelsea’s current squad, though the Blues still feel he will need some new additions.
According to The Sun, Maresca believes the side needs strengthening across the pitch and particularly in the spine of the team.
As such, he wants to bring in a new striker, centre-back and goalkeeper, while the club will also look to bring in a new left-back too.
The goalkeeper position is seen as a key one for Maresca, whose heavy possession football requires a shot-stopper who is competent and composed when playing out from the back.
Neither Djordje Petrovic or Robert Sanchez are seen as ideal fits for the role, with the latter expected to leave, and Chelsea have already been linked with a swoop for Burnley’s James Trafford – who Maresca actually knows from their time together at Manchester City.
Perhaps the most important position to fill will be up top, with Chelsea keen to bring in an orthodox, out-and-out number nine with a reliable goalscoring record.
The Blues underperformed their Expected Goals last season, with Nicolas Jackson particularly wasteful, and could solidify their long-standing interest in prolific Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen with a summer swoop.
Osimhen – like his club as a whole – had a rather underwhelming season compared to last year, though he still netted 15 goals in 25 Serie A appearances.
He also has an enormous £113million release clause and significant interest from other clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal both thought to be keen.
Elsewhere, the departure of veteran defender Thiago Silva has opened up a space for a new centre-back while Chelsea are also keen to bolster their options at left-back.
Before the Blues can begin working on their summer shopping list, however, they will need to raise funds by selling homegrown stars in order to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The likes of Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Ian Maatsen and Trevoh Chalobah are all likely to leave – with their sales counting as pure profit – while other fringe squad members could also be on the chopping block.
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