Chelsea is set to appoint Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca as their new manager “unless something crazy happens in the next 48 hours,” according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
This decision follows the unexpected dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino, who was let go last week despite a promising end to the season for the Blues. Pochettino, who famously guided Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, concluded his tenure at Chelsea with five consecutive league victories, securing a Europa Conference League spot for the upcoming season. This marked a significant improvement from the previous campaign, as Chelsea climbed six places from a 12th-place finish and amassed 19 more points under Pochettino’s guidance.
In the wake of Pochettino’s departure, there has been intense speculation regarding his successor. Enzo Maresca, who recently led Leicester City to promotion from the Championship, has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Romano has provided further insight into this development, stating that Chelsea will indeed appoint Maresca as their new manager unless something highly unforeseen occurs within the next 48 hours. Romano elaborates that recent discussions between Maresca and Chelsea have been extremely positive, with Maresca eager to join the Premier League club. Despite some reports suggesting he might prefer to remain at Leicester, it has been clear since Chelsea entered the fray that Maresca is enthusiastic about becoming their next manager.
Maresca is reportedly drawn to Chelsea’s project, which revolves around nurturing young talent with significant potential. He sees this as an exciting opportunity and is convinced of his fit with the club’s vision. Chelsea’s hierarchy, including both directors and owners, are equally convinced of Maresca’s abilities, appreciating his obsession with ball possession, quality football, and game domination. His extensive knowledge of elite football, despite being a relatively young manager, played a crucial role in Chelsea’s decision to pursue him.
The negotiations are now in their final stages, with the salary already agreed upon. The only remaining detail is the length of Maresca’s contract, which is expected to be longer than initially anticipated, potentially a five-year deal. The feeling within the club is that they are very close to finalizing this aspect.
The final hurdle to Maresca’s appointment is reaching an agreement with Leicester City regarding compensation, including for Maresca’s staff. However, it is anticipated that this will be resolved shortly, possibly within days or even hours, paving the way for Maresca to officially become Chelsea’s new manager.
Once Maresca’s appointment is confirmed, Chelsea will shift focus to a busy summer transfer window. They aim to make strategic moves, including signing a new goalkeeper and at least one, if not two, new centre-backs. Additionally, they are likely to pursue a new striker, with Benjamin Sesko being a notable target, though competition for his signature comes from other clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United.