Incoming Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will reportedly prioritise signings in three key positions this summer.
Maresca is expected to be announced as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement within the next 24 hours and will sign a five-year contract.
The Blues have agreed a £10million compensation deal to prize the Italian away from Championship champions Leicester City.
And even though Maresca is currently on holiday and yet to be officially appointed, he has begun drafting up his transfer plan for his first summer at Stamford Bridge.
The Telegraph report that the 44-year-old will prioritise signing a new goalkeeper, left-back and forward.
This maybe easier said than done however, given that Chelsea will be under pressure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules having spent a £1billion on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover.
Moreover, they have already spent a significant amount in the three aforementioned positions over the past few years, and will need to move players on first.
Just last summer, £40m was paid out on Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic, but neither look likely to a long-term No.1, especially after conceding a record amount of Premier League goals.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, still the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, is also set to return to the Bridge after spending the season on loan at Real Madrid.
As vice-captain, it seems unlikely that Ben Chilwell will be sold, which means Marc Cucurella, who has largely underwhelmed since his £55.5m move from Brighton two years ago, could be on the chopping block.
Ian Maatsen has been brilliant at left-back while on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but is likely to be sold as they Chelsea look to drum up funds.
Up front, Maresca will find a plethora of forward options with highly-rated teenage winger Estevao Willian also set to join the club in a deal worth an initial £29m.
Over £300m has already been splashed on Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, but it remains to be seen who will fit into the new manager’s plans.
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