Chelsea Ready to Pay £10m for Leicester’s Enzo Maresca to Replace Pochettino

Chelsea are on the verge of making their most significant summer signing – a new manager. Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is in advanced talks to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues ready to activate his £10 million release clause after requesting permission to speak with the Championship-winning coach on Monday, according to The Mirror.

Chelsea is not the only club seeking a new manager, as Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Juventus are also without head coaches.

On Tuesday, Sky Sports News reported that Leicester have given Chelsea the green light to negotiate with Enzo Maresca regarding the position of head coach. Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are set to travel to Marbella for direct discussions with Maresca.

The Blues have been impressed by Maresca’s comprehensive understanding of their squad and his focused vision for the team’s playing style. His dedication to possession and positional play has made him the frontrunner to replace Pochettino. An appointment could be finalised within the next few days, contingent on reaching an agreement with Leicester over compensation.

The Italian was previously Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.

Also Read: Chelsea sack manager Thomas Tuchel after 100 days of new ownership

Kieran McKenna was informed on Sunday that Chelsea is pursuing other options, though the club holds his achievements at Ipswich Town in high regard. They also respect Thomas Frank for his accomplishments at Brentford, and Roberto De Zerbi was a strong candidate due to his impressive resume.

The new Chelsea head coach is expected to sign a contract exceeding the two-year deal Pochettino accepted last summer before his recent mutual departure. Winstanley and Stewart compiled the final shortlist of candidates, with the Chelsea ownership group, including co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, making the ultimate decision.

“I think we should expect a decision this week,” said Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. “Chelsea wants this resolved by the start of June. Eghbali has been in London for some time and attended the FA Cup final on Saturday. He is set to leave London soon, but I anticipate a decision this week.”

Last summer, Pochettino edged out Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany for the job, with Ange Postecoglou also considered a strong candidate. Senior Chelsea figures believe the new head coach will be the final piece in the modern structure they have built at the club.

Meanwhile, Manchester United might also be in the market for a new manager soon, with crucial talks over Erik ten Hag’s future taking place this week following their 2-1 victory against Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final. Former assistant manager Kieran McKenna had been tipped to replace Ten Hag, but the Ipswich boss is now expected to sign a lucrative new contract with the newly-promoted side.

In transfer news, United forward Anthony Martial has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires next month. Rivals Liverpool are eyeing a move for Atalanta midfielder and Europa League final star Ederson, while Arsenal plans to spend big again, though they’ve faced setbacks with some of their targets.

 

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