Enzo Maresca, who was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager on Monday, is gearing up to revamp the team by offloading several players to bring in new talent. The Italian manager, previously with Leicester City, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure last month after guiding the club to a sixth-place finish.
Maresca brings a wealth of experience, having won the Championship with Leicester and served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. He is now focusing on reshaping Chelsea’s costly squad to better align with his vision for the team.
Reports from Teamtalk suggest that Maresca is prepared to sell four players, potentially raising £145 million for new signings. Benoit Badiashile, a defender who joined from Monaco for £33 million in January 2023, is likely to be the first on the list, with AC Milan expressing interest in the 23-year-old after an underwhelming season.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who arrived last summer for £25 million, is also expected to be sold. Maresca is looking for a keeper with superior ball-handling skills. Sanchez has potential suitors in both the Premier League and Spain.
Marc Cucurella, who transferred from Brighton for £60 million, is another player on the chopping block. Despite high expectations, the 25-year-old has not justified his price tag. Manchester United and Aston Villa are rumored to be interested in acquiring his services.
Finally, Trevoh Chalobah, a 24-year-old centre-back and academy product, could also be sold. Any transfer fee for Chalobah would be considered pure profit for Chelsea. Manchester United is reportedly eyeing a £25 million move for the England under-21 international. If all four players are sold for the desired amounts, Chelsea could generate £145 million to reinvest in the squad.
This potential shake-up under Maresca’s leadership signifies a new chapter for Chelsea, aiming to rebuild and compete at the highest levels in the upcoming seasons.