Chelsea now look set to appoint Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as the club’s new head coach following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League and were showing signs of progress, particularly towards the end of the season as they won their final five games of the league season.
However, that was not enough to save Pochettino’s job at Stamford Bridge and it now looks like Enzo Maresca, who guided Leicester City back to the Premier League, will be the next man in line to try and improve the fortunes of the club.
The summer transfer window promises to be an important one for Chelsea and it seems the West London club are moving ahead with their transfer business in what would be Maresca’s first signing with the Blues.
Maresca’s first signing
HITC reported over the weekend that Chelsea had entered the race to sign Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who had been linked with Manchester United and Newcastle United.
The English defender has had a good season under Marco Silva and there is little surprise to see the former Manchester City academy graduate linked to some of the biggest clubs in the country.
With Adarabioyo set to leave Craven Cottage on a free transfer, this could be the perfect first signing for Chelsea and indeed Maresca, who will be hoping to make a quick start at Stamford Bridge.
The deal to take Maresca is on the cusp of being completed with HITC reporting that the deal is close to being completed with the former City coach agreeing to the move to the capital.
Chelsea are now putting the finishing touches to a compensation package and HITC is told that the club hope to announce his appointment by the start of June.
Adarabioyo’s quality
A summer of upheaval under Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is looking likely and the signing of Adarabioyo, if the Blues are to steal a march on the other sides keen on the defender, would be a welcome one.
With Thiago Silva set to leave the club, as well as Wesley Fofana’s injury problems, a new defender, who can be relied upon, is crucial.
However, despite Adarabioyo performing well for Fulham whenever he has played, the 26-year-old has also had his own injury problems to deal with as he started just 18 league games.
The one big positive of this signing is the low cost of his signature. With Chelsea hoping to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations this summer, these low cost signings will be critical.
Unlike the other signings Chelsea have made under Boehly, Adarabioyo would come in on a free transfer and would represent a low risk, potentially high reward signing for the Blues.
Adarabioyo’s best years are ahead of him, and there is serious competition for his signature.
He came through the City academy, so Maresca will be fully aware of him, due to his time working at The Etihad.
With competition from Manchester United and Newcastle, Chelsea can land a big statement by convincing Adarabioyo to join, and secure a genuine bargain, which might be hard to top this summer.
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