Enzo Maresca appears to be like set to turn out to be Manchester Metropolis’s first new supervisor in a decade when he replaces Pep Guardiola and will take various Chelsea gamers to the Etihad Stadium
Pep Guardiola’s exit from Manchester Metropolis appears to be like set to occur this Sunday, with Enzo Maresca poised to take over in his place. And there are particular strings the previous Chelsea chief could possibly pull at Stamford Bridge in taking sure expertise from his previous membership this summer season.
The Italian beforehand spent a 12 months serving beneath Guardiola as certainly one of his Metropolis assistants, having beforehand led Metropolis’s youth to a league title again in 2021. That synergy is not the one profit Maresca’s appointment would result in, nonetheless, given his connections at different golf equipment.
Chelsea are one such outfit the place he might have sure stars nonetheless loyal to their previous boss, who could possibly be open to a brand new challenge on the Etihad. And Mirror Soccer takes a take a look at which candidates could possibly be realistically poached from west London this summer season.
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Enzo Fernandez
A bitter blow to Chelsea followers however one that could be anticipated in some methods. Enzo Fernandez has been revered at Chelsea since breaking the British switch file following his 2023 switch from Benfica however has turn out to be fiercely linked with an exit this summer season.
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The Argentinian has engineered this hypothesis himself after hinting in March that he will not be lengthy for Stamford Bridge. On the time, Paris Saint-Germain have been probably the most closely rumoured admirers of his work, although a reunion with Maresca might make Metropolis the brand new frontrunners.
It was Maresca, in spite of everything, who made Fernandez his vice-captain not lengthy after arriving at Chelsea. With Bernardo Silva leaving and Metropolis as soon as once more underlining their struggles at occasions with out Rodri within the line-up this season, a flexible midfield recruit like Fernandez makes good sense, albeit one which’s prone to price greater than £100million.
Levi Colwill
With John Stones heading for the Etihad exit after 10 years with Metropolis, a stern centre-back addition appears to be like prone to be a precedence. And Maresca will help in that sense given the tight bond he fashioned with Levi Colwill throughout his 18 months in west London.
Granted, Metropolis could be changing one injury-prone defender with one other who has had his share of health points lately. That being stated, Colwill solely turned 23 earlier this 12 months and has the clear potential to turn out to be a staple a part of England’s backbone when at his greatest.
HIs signing would characterize a significant gamble given he missed successfully your entire 2025/26 season following a severe ACL damage. Nonetheless, it is a danger Maresca could also be prepared to take given the shut relationship he and the participant fashioned at Stamford Bridge.
“Not only a prime supervisor however a prime particular person,” he wrote on Instagram, the phrases emblazoned throughout a photograph of him and Maresca sharing an embrace on the pitch. “Thanks for all the pieces. It was a pleasure to work with you and create nice recollections.”
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Joao Pedro
One look on the Premier League standings will let you know Metropolis aren’t precisely missing in assault. Nonetheless, chasing an asset like Joao Pedro nonetheless makes a whole lot of sense given it hasn’t sparkled as a lot as years passed by over the previous two campaigns.
Not solely is Pedro able to shining up entrance, an space from which Erling Haaland will not be budged, however he is a eager progressor of the ball in different areas. Whether or not out large or taking part in off a essential frontman, the Brazilian makes positive aspects virtually anytime he is in possession, a ability Metropolis require to make incisions among the many standard extended bouts of build-up.
Jeremy Doku already brings that off the left flank however Pedro is extra malleable within the variety of roles he is in a position to fulfil. Not solely that however Maresca has already signed the participant as soon as given it was him in cost when Chelsea lured him from Brighton for £55m final 12 months.
His signing could also be among the many most tough to drag off given he is contracted till 2033 and is certainly one of Chelsea’s most vital property. Nonetheless, if there’s any Premier League rival that would make a transfer for the 24-year-old occur regardless, it is Metropolis.
Cole Palmer
Each the obvious transfer whereas being arguably the least prone to materialise on the similar time. After struggling for first-team alternatives beneath Guardiola, Palmer has gone from energy to energy since leaving Metropolis in 2023 and could possibly be thought-about probably the most helpful piece of Chelsea’s puzzle.
However that was with Guardiola in cost. Palmer, who turned 24 earlier in Could, appeared to get pleasure from his time with Maresca and produced strong numbers beneath the Italian, suggesting he could also be tempted again to his hometown if the precise provide got here in.
Towards, Silva’s departure from the Etihad this summer season creates a big void in Metropolis’s midfield. Nonetheless, convincing Palmer himself to come back fill that gap stands out as the greatest impediment of all.
“I’ve received no plans to maneuver membership and after I see it I simply chuckle,” he informed The Guardian in April. “Clearly Manchester is my residence. All my household are there, however I don’t miss it. Perhaps I’ll miss it if I don’t go for 3 months or one thing. However then after I get residence I believe there’s nothing there for me anyway.”
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