Enzo Maresca Has Two Key Chelsea Players in Mind if He Takes Over

Enzo Maresca, the current favorite to replace Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea’s manager, already has two players in mind to build his team around if he takes the job.

Maresca, formerly an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has gained attention for his managerial success. He led Leicester City to promotion from the Championship in his first season, overcoming a mid-season slump to finish strong and secure the title.

If Maresca moves to Stamford Bridge, he plans to focus on two promising talents: Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia.

Key Players: Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer had an outstanding season, scoring 22 Premier League goals and earning a spot in England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad. Maresca, who knows Palmer from his time at Manchester City’s academy, believes in Palmer’s potential and ability to shine at Chelsea. Before a match against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March, Maresca praised Palmer’s consistent performance, noting that he struggled to stand out at City due to intense competition but has found more opportunities at Chelsea.

Romeo Lavia

Romeo Lavia, a Belgian midfielder who joined Chelsea from Southampton for £53 million last summer, is another player Maresca is familiar with from his City days. Lavia missed most of the season due to injury, except for a brief appearance against Crystal Palace in December. Despite this setback, Maresca recognizes Lavia’s potential and has previously praised his ability to recover the ball and make effective passes. Lavia, who appreciates Maresca’s coaching, looks forward to getting fully fit and proving himself in the upcoming season.

Maresca’s familiarity with Palmer and Lavia from their time at Manchester City could give him a head start if he becomes Chelsea’s next manager. Both players have shown promise and could be pivotal in Chelsea’s future success under Maresca’s guidance.