Chelsea are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their next manager after agreeing personal terms with the 44-year-old Leicester City boss.
Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino after an underwhelming campaign, and they are closing in on the appointment of Enzo Maresca, as per HITC. The Blues are in talks with Leicester City over the compensation package for the 44-year-old.
The Italian manager guided the Foxes back to the Premier League this season. His exploits in the Championship have convinced Chelsea that he is the right man to take them forward.
The report by HITC has claimed that Maresca has already agreed on personal terms with Chelsea. But there have been contradictory claims on the duration of his contract, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting he will sign a two-year deal, with the option for a further year. On the other hand, David Ornstein has revealed that it will be a five-year contract.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can agree on the compensation with the Foxes now. The Italian will arrive with his staff at Chelsea and the Blues will have to shell out a compensation fee for his team as well. Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Maresca has already informed Leicester City of his desire to join Chelsea.
Chelsea spent substantial amount of money last summer and brought in some exciting talents. However, they missed out on a trophy and UEFA Champions League qualification. It will be a disappointing season for a club of their stature, and Enzo Maresca will be expected to turn things around at Stamford Bridge next season.
The 44-year-old has impressed with Leicester City in the Championship, and it will be interesting to see if he can handle the step up to the Premier League well. Managing a club like Chelsea will be a massive challenge for the Italian. But it will be a major opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
Can Maresca transform Chelsea?
Chelsea will be expected to win trophies next term and secure Champions League football. Maresca will have to get the best out of Chelsea’s multi-million-pound recruits as well. Players like Moises Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke have struggled to make their mark on a consistent basis, and the Italian will be expected to get them firing.
Meanwhile, the Foxes will be thoroughly disappointed to lose a talented young manager like Maresca. He managed to get them promoted, and they would have expected him to steady the ship in the top flight next season. It will be interesting to see who they end up appointing as his replacement.