Pep Guardiola sends Chelsea fans clear Enzo Maresca message as transfer contact clarified

Enzo Maresca will be hoping to get his feet under the table at Cobham Training Ground before the summer transfer window opens. Chelsea have been heavily linked with numerous big names ahead of the Italian’s expected arrival from Leicester City. For now, it’s unclear which positions Maresca will look to strengthen, with the Blues already fairly well-stocked across the park.

To welcome some new faces to Stamford Bridge, however, Chelsea may be left with no choice but to offload a few of their players . Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah face particularly uncertain futures with any potential sale going down as straight profit on the books. Nevertheless, the west Londoners’ sporting directors will have to make a few tough decisions in the coming weeks.

Guardiola prediction speaks volumes

Pep Guardiola has previously compared Enzo Maresca to Mikel Arteta. The Italian has been heavily linked with replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout at Stamford Bridge after leading Leicester City back into the Premier League. Speaking in May 2021, the Manchester City boss heaped praise on Maresca for his work with the ‘elite development squad’. Guardiola said: “We are delighted with Enzo Maresca. All the organisation he has done with the EDS.

“He showed he will become an extraordinary manager in the future. Extraordinary. I feel it. Like I felt it when I saw Mikel Arteta I see it with Enzo, [he] will be an extraordinary manager and he helped to develop many, many young players.”

Maatsen issues transfer update

Ian Maatsen has provided an update on his future at Chelsea. The 22-year-old defender joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in January, playing a crucial role in the German side’s route to the Champions League final. “In recent weeks? No. No, not yet,” Maatsen said when asked if he has had any contact with Chelsea. “I think I still have a contract and after the summer we are going to decide where my future is going to be. “For now, I am just focusing on this game [the Champions League final] and obviously what’s coming next. No [I have nothing to prove to Chelsea], I just have to do something to prove to myself. I came here to prove myself that I can play on the highest level and that’s what I’m doing now.”

Walker makes bold claim

Kyle Walker has named Reece James the best right-back in the world, ahead of the likes of Ben White and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite missing a large chunk of the season due to injury, the Chelsea defender still managed to show glimpses of magic and drag his side up the Premier League table Speaking on his new podcast with the BBC, ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’ , the Manchester City defender said: “Reece James. He’s just got everything. Everything. If I could make a complete right-back, it would be him. Defend, attack, technically, both-footed, dead-ball situations, quick.”