New Chelsea boss – Enzo Maresca is gradually approaching the start of his managerial reign at Stamford Bridge. The Italian who led Leicester City to victory in the Championship was appointed head coach after the club parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino on mutual agreement last month. Plans are already in motion to strengthen the Italian manager’s squad ahead of the domestic and European competition next season.
A key target in this overhaul is Michael Olise, who is currently Chelsea’s top target after negotiations to bring in Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen hit a setback. Crystal Palace earlier granted permission for Chelsea to contact the player’s representatives and initiate possible transfer negotiations. Recent reports indicate that Michael Olise has agreed to join German side Bayern Munich after Chelsea pulled out of the negotiations.
Chelsea spearheaded the race to sign the Frenchman ahead of Newcastle United and Bayern Munich but the club’s representatives withdrew from the pursuit, considering the financial demands were too high to finalize the deal.
Olise spent his youth career at Chelsea from 2009 to 2016 before moving to Manchester City. He later joined Reading, where he made his breakthrough into senior football and eventually signed with Crystal Palace in 2021. The 22-year-old winger who suffered from injury in the beginning phase of last season returned stronger to put in 10 goals and make six assists for the Eagles, giving them an edge above relegation.
With the recent change in management, players like Micheal Olise are seen as crucial to the club’s future new project, especially as they plan to recover from recent managerial shifts and reestablish themselves as Premier League contenders. Part of a broader strategy under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea will aim to address both player performances and financial stability at the club. Chelsea is looking forward to offloading some players for profitability and sustainability reasons and bringing in new talent that fits Maresca’s tactical vision.
ATLETICO MADRID’S INTEREST IN GALLAGHER AND JACKSON
Atletico Madrid has displayed strong interest in securing the signatures of Chelsea’s midfielder Conor Gallagher and Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson.
Spanish reports indicate that Chelsea have rejected Atletico Madrid’s bid for the English midfielder. The Spanish club made a £16.9 million offer for the England international and was quickly turned down by Chelsea, as it was significantly below the club’s £50 million valuation. Gallagher is also a player of significant interest to rival Premier Clubs Arsenal and Manchester United. The Blues academy product had an impressive season last year and is currently with the England squad for Euro 2024.
At just 24, the homegrown midfielder’s best years are likely still ahead yet he has already proven himself in the Premier League with experience at Stamford Bridge and on loan at Crystal Palace. Last season, he made 54 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 16 goals. He was a key player in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. However, with a change in management, he has lost a crucial supporter of his talent, and Chelsea is now keen to sell him to maintain financial fair play. This move could benefit one of Chelsea’s rivals.
Atletico Madrid is reportedly interested in signing Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea this summer. The Senegalese striker arrived at Chelsea from Villarreal last summer and made a huge impact for the Blues in the previous season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions but suffered inconsistency in front of goal. The striker is reportedly discontented with Pochettino’s departure from the club and is considering a move away from West London. Chelsea’s interest in Atletico Madrid’s striker Samu Omorodion could see Jackson heading the other way.
Diego Simeone is actively preparing for next season’s challenge and to revamp a squad with significant outgoing players this summer. The release of Depay, loans, and sale of unused players will be crucial in raising enough funds to create a team capable of silverware. Atletico Madrid is also monitoring the situations of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ederson, Matt O’Riley, and Mats Wieffer.
CHELSEA IN THE MARKET TO REDEFINE THEIR DEFENSE
Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva who left the club with the expiration of his contract has left a huge role to be filled in the Chelsea team. Silva was not just a fullback, but a leader. This is a rarely found talent in younger players and it may take new pairs time to form such a partnership in the back line.
Chelsea signed center-back Tosin Adarabioyo from fellow West London Club Fulham on a free transfer and is currently monitoring the situation of Hungary full-back Milos Kerkez. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are alert to the situation between the 20-year-old and his Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola. Kerkez’s father is displeased with his son being left out of matches during his first year in England and is looking for a possible transfer. This isn’t the first time Chelsea have shown interest in the youngster, as the Cherries outbid them to pay €20 million to AZ Alkmaar for Kerkez last summer.
Chelsea are also set to sell Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa, leaving room to focus on their interest in AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez as Enzo Maresca aims to reshape the squad. According to HITC, Maresca prefers using an inverted full-back and the club is looking to upgrade Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, with Hernandez being one of the targets. Hernandez has two years left on his contract at AC Milan and is reportedly interested in extending his stay at the club.
To comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules, Chelsea put defender Trevoh Chalobah on sale this summer. Fulham have renewed their interest in the Chelsea defender and are considering an approach for the Chelsea academy graduate. Chalobah is expected to push to remain at the club, having previously rejected a move to Nottingham Forest in January. If the move to Fulham materializes, Chalobah would likely replace Tosin Adarabioyo, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer.
IAN MAATSEN TO ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa has reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign left-back Ian Maatsen this summer. Villa has secured the deal for a fee exceeding Maatsen’s £35 million release clause which expired earlier this week, allowing the Blues to negotiate a higher price which could further increase with add-ons. The club is expected to reach personal terms with the player in the coming week.
Borussia Dortmund showed strong interest in retaining the services of the 22-year-old who had a successful loan spell last season and played crucially in their Champions League run. They however made offers that failed short of the original release clause. Maatsen made 15 appearances for the Blues last season, then turned down a loan to Burnley to feature in 16 Bundesliga games and seven Champions League games for the Black and Yellow, finding the net three times.
Unai Emery’s intentions to strengthen his team ahead of their Champions League football and title challenge next season are evident. He’s fully backed by the club’s management who are prepared to spend handsomely in the current transfer window for better results in the coming season.
SANDY BALTIMORE SET TO JOIN CHELSEA FC WOMEN
Sandy Baltimore will leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Chelsea FC Women after turning down a contract extension to remain in the French club next season. The 24-year-old has featured for Paris-Saint German since the 2016/17 season, scoring 33 goals and creating 30 assists in her eight seasons with the club.
French newspaper – Le Parisien reported that Baltimore became increasingly frustrated with the prolonged negotiations between her and PSG, which had been ongoing since last winter without reaching a satisfactory agreement. This delay opened the door for Chelsea, whose new manager Sonia Bompastor persuaded Baltimore to join her new developing project in West London. The forward will travel to the UK this week to complete her medicals.
Sandy Baltimore’s exit would further decline PSG’s Women’s team’s quest to be a resilient force in French and European football next season after her soon-to-be ex-teammate Tabitha Chawinga recently reached an agreement to join longtime rivals Olympique Lyonnais. Chawinga won the UNFP’s Player of the Year for her impressive performances last season, weeks after she was named D1 Arkema Player of the Season.
CHARLIE WEBSTER SIGNS FOR THE BREWERS
Burton Albion has announced the permanent acquisition of Chelsea’s young midfielder Charlie Webster. The youngster who joined Chelsea at nine years of age spent last season on loan at the Dutch club Heerenveen. He has now signed a permanent three-year contract with Burton Albion, where he will be reunited with his former Blues U21 head coach, Mark Robinson.
Writing a farewell message on Instagram, he said;
“Thank you Chelsea FC. A beautiful decade: years that will never be forgotten. To have been able to call Chelsea my home since nine years old has been a privilege. I’ve always viewed football as a journey and I am proud the club has played such a role in my career and life up to this point. To all the staff, players, coaches, and fans, I wish you all the very best.”
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