Enzo Maresca has finally been announced as Chelsea’s new manager.
The sudden exit of Mauricio Pochettino left many wondering why he decided to depart after only one season at the club.
Chelsea had ended the season strongly, finished sixth and won their last five Premier League matches, but Pochettino leaving left many shocked.
The one area you jump to straightaway is the transfer side of things and how Pochettino probably wanted more power and how he wasn’t going to get it.
One man who has been hot topic of discussion has been Conor Gallagher, with Tottenham keen to bring him in.
But to prove that Enzo Maresca might have little say in who comes in and who goes out at Stamford Bridge is shown by the expected incoming signing of Tosin Adarabioyo.
Sources have told HITC that Adarabioyo has agreed to secure a free transfer to Chelsea, with his Fulham contract due to expire at the end of the month.
At one point, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United felt that they were going to land the 26-year-old’s signature, but those in West London have won the race.
Whilst Tony Cascarino understands Chelsea’s reasoning behind bringing in the former Manchester City man, he admitted that he ‘isn’t convinced’ by the centre-back’s ability to bring the ball out from the back, as he told talkSPORT (02/06/24 at 6:40 am).
The former striker made it clear that defensive cover is needed because many of the players deployed in that role, after Thiago Silva’s exit, haven’t been good enough and are making too many mistakes.
Tosin Adarabioyo to secure free transfer to Chelsea
“They need a centre-half,” said Cascarino. “Badiashile, I am not sure he has developed enough to be a regular Chelsea centre-half, obviously, they have lost Thiago Silva.
“Disasi, again, I think there are a lot of mistakes. The heart of their defence last season was a problem. I thought there were big improvements in other areas of the pitch, but the two centre-halves for me, are one of the issues they need to confront.
“Tosin is a free transfer, isn’t he?! It’s a signing that Newcastle tried to get over the line. It hasn’t happened. Chelsea have jumped in. Great aerially. Really good. You expect it. He is 6ft 4. Very dominant in that area. I am still not quite convinced when he is on the ball, with making mistakes. I have seen him do that a few times at Fulham over the season. Chelsea are looking at it as a free transfer and they do need bodies because Colwill was injured as well during the season. Fofana (has been out) for the whole year, so they do need cover. Or someone to step in and play.”
Enzo Maresca at Chelsea
Pochettino didn’t last long, in fact, not many of them have lasted long since the new ownership group replaced Roman Abramovich.
Many would point towards the fact that Abramovich was the same. The big difference here is that his managers would win trophies, then leave and those coming in would follow that cycle.
READ MORE: Jose Mourinho’s brutal Chelsea & Manchester United dig after Champions League final at Wembley
This isn’t happening under Todd Boehly and Co. That’s why you have to question how long Maresca will last if things go slightly wrong or he makes a poor start.
If this appointment doesn’t work, then the pressure and verbal battering will head towards those in the boardroom and nobody else.
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