Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly set to become the new Chelsea manager and he could look to sign a number of his former players for the free-spending Blues.
Maresca learned his trade at the school of Pep Guardiola in Manchester City’s academy, where he worked as a coach. He left City in 2021 to take up an ill-fated position in charge of Parma but was sacked just 14 games into his tenure.
However, Maresca bounced back at Leicester City this season, guiding the Foxes to the Championship title and an immediate return to the Premier League. Seeing him now set to land the Chelsea job after Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent at the end of the season.
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Given his time at City, AI has cited a number of targets that Maresca could bring in from his previous clubs to have a similar sort of explosive season in west London as Cole Palmer, who played under Maresca in the Champions’ academy, following his £45million move from the Etihad last summer.
AI first suggested that the Italian should make a swoop for a number of the youth players he coached during his time at City.
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(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
Phil Foden looks incredibly unrealistic due to his incredible season and integral role in the squad, but Rico Lewis could see how Palmer has developed at Stamford Bridge and look to make a similar move himself for more first-team experience.
Two other players from his time in Manchester Maresca could return for according to AI, are the highly-rated midfielder James McAtee, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, and on-loan Hull City striker Liam Delap.
Both have been touted as future assets for Chelsea should they be keen to find more first-team action.
(Image: Getty Images)
Maresca could also look towards some of the success stories from his Parma side – however, it’s slim pickings with his short spell on the Italian peninsula.
Full back Guiseppe Pezzella was an option suggested by AI on the left-hand side and his ability to play higher on the left and at centre-back and right-back could be crucial to the Blues’ depth.
Another defender he could return for is Yordan Osorio who AI have claimed might be a useful addition to Chelsea’s backline.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: PA)
A raid on his Leicester squad has also been mooted by AI, with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Wout Faes and James Justin all crucial players to his success at the King Power.
Faes and Justin could bring squad depth, while Dewsbury-Hall has been citied as a talented midfielder by AI.