Latest news with #EnzoMaresca
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea boss reveals transfer stance on defensive duo amid exit speculation
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wants to hold onto both Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah, but admits that 'anything can happen' in the summer transfer window. Acheampong has been linked with both Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund after breaking into the Chelsea senior squad last season, starting four times in the Premier League. Advertisement The 19-year-old, who can play as a right-back, wing-back and in central defence, is considered a top prospect after featuring prominently in the club's Uefa COnference League success. Chelsea boss reveals transfer stance on Acheampong and Chalobah Speaking ahead of Saturday's Club World Cup round-of-16 meeting with Benfica, Maresca expressed his desire for the teenager to remain at Stamford Bridge. 'My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. I feel the best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Chalobah, meanwhile, has been linked with Napoli, Inter Milan and a possible return to Crystal Palace. Chelsea seemingly wanted to offload the centre-back last summer, but sent him on loan to Palace after failing to find a buyer. He was recalled in January following an impressive spell at Selhurst Park. Advertisement 'All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them,' Maresca added. 'But then we said many times that when the window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen. To buy a player or to sell a player. 'Trevoh came back with us in January. If we did the Champions League spot in the top four, it's also because of Trevoh. He helped us a lot. In this moment, he played also some games here. 'He is with us. We are happy with him. Then, as I said, unfortunately, when the window is open, anything can happen, but not only for Trevoh, but for the 25 players of the squad.' Read – Newcastle and Brighton in transfer 'talks' as £50m bid for Chelsea target rejected See Also – Former Chelsea and Spurs striker set for MLS move Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Maresca faces make-or-break Chelsea spell as internal view on progress emerges
Enzo Maresca is gearing up for a huge second season in charge of Chelsea, where progress has been difficult to assess in the wake of constant personnel changes Enzo Maresca is facing a huge second season at Chelsea. The expectation levels are so high at Stamford Bridge that internally Maresca's first year in charge is still only seen as being 'on par.' Chelsea won a European trophy with the Conference League success, qualified for the Champions League and, arguably most impressively of all, provided a sense of calm among the chaos. They would never admit it, but working for a club which has spent more than £1billion in the era of joint owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali takes a clear, calm head. It is still regarded as something of a circus by people looking in from the outside and that is why Maresca's first 12 months deserve respect. But, realistically, it is actually the next 12 upon which he will be judged. When Maresca took charge, the club were open about his being a two-year season with the Club World Cup sandwiched in the middle. It is difficult to plan and prepare when you do not know your calendar, dates and what the summer and beyond will even look like. That should buy Maresca some time and understanding but we all know that it is not how it works in football - and that is why it is such a big year ahead for the Italian coach. This is a manager still finding his way in his career. He gained a big reputation for working with young players while at Manchester City 's academy and it says much about him that Liam Delap always wanted to join Chelsea because of his time working there under Maresca. Maresca also steered Leicester to promotion but one of his problems at the King Power was he made himself rather difficult to like. The football was not edge-of-the-seat stuff and he was rather aggressive and defensive. The Leicester never really took to him and it has been a similar story at Chelsea. You would have though by now, in this age of PR gurus and style, that someone would have got hold of him with a few bits of advice. In fairness, Maresca is probably ignoring them. Instead, Maresca finished the season by telling those who doubted him and Chelsea to 'f*** off' in his final press conference of the Premier League campaign when they won at Nottingham Forest to clinch a Champions League place. If he thought that would really bring a siege mentality among the fans he again was mistaken. The fans were happy enough but they are a long way from loving the manager in the way they did with a Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel or even Antonio Conte in his peak. They have still carried on spending and £30m on Delap looks good business and they are close to a £50m deal on Jamie Gittens. Others have arrived and done so without much fanfare because they are players for the future. The Chelsea model is young players, long contracts and a long term vision. The teenage prodigy Estevao Willian, 18, is regarded as a generational talent in Brazil but Maresca has been rather dismissive of him as a first team player next season. They do sign and loan out a lot. They also have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Moises Caicedo is a brilliant player but too many other big signings are yet to fulfil their potential. Chelsea flirted with a title race last season and could have gone top - albeit briefly - just before Christmas. Then they fell away badly in the second half before finishing with aplomb. This season could be defined by how they recover from the United States. If they can hit the ground running in the Premier League and start with Crystal Palace, West Ham and Fulham then it could be a big year. If they have a hangover from their gruelling summer then it could be a difficult second year for Maresca.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca responds to Josh Acheampong transfer talk amid interest from Newcastle, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund
Enzo Maresca says Josh Acheampong is not for sale, despite Borussia Dortmund and others being interested in Chelsea 's 19-year-old academy graduate. Maresca spoke on Acheampong amid the rumours ahead of their Club World Cup last-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte. Asked for his stance on Acheampong, with Newcastle and Tottenham among their rivals apparently interested in snapping up the teenager, the Blues boss said: 'The clubs that you mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh. 'Good players, any club likes good players. 'My plan with Josh is quite clear. He potentially can be a top defender for this club. It's on him to have the right timing to do the things. 'We are full of young players here, full of talented players, even defenders. 'So I think the best plan for Josh is to be with us and I'm very happy if he's going to be with us.' Acheampong played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's last Club World Cup win over ES Tunis in Philadelphia. Another one from the Cobham production line, he can play as a full back on either side and also at centre back, though has no preference over his position, so long as he gets to play.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Is there a third place play-off at the Club World Cup 2025?
The Club World Cup has entered the knockout phase as the remaining 16 teams turn their attention towards the final and a huge cash prize. The expanded 32-team tournament has not been short of surprises in the group stages, with several upsets and impressive results from some of the competitions lesser-known sides. Atletico Madrid have been sent packing in the group stages after Diego Simeone's side finished third behind the Brazilian Botafogo in Group B. Elsewhere, both Bayern Munich and Chelsea failed to top their respective groups after surprise losses to Benfica and Flamengo respectively. Enzo Maresca's side will take on Benfica in the round of 16, while the other Premier League side, Manchester City, will play Al-Hilal on June 30. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Both clubs are on the same side of the draw and could meet in the semi-finals of the tournament. And while the victor of that potential semi-final would progress to the final, what happens with the losers? Let's find out. No, there is not a third-place play-off at the Club World Cup 2025. Given concerns over player welfare and the added demands of an expanded Club World Cup, it is perhaps no surprise that FIFA decided to do without a third place play-off for this tournament. After the semi-final stage, the competition will therefore just finish with the final on Sunday 13th July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. On the other side of the knockout bracket, Lionel Messi will face his former club as Inter Miami will play Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. More Trending Bayern Munich will meet Flamengo, who finished top of Group D ahead of Chelsea. Borussia Dortmund will play Mexican side Monterrey, while Real Madrid will meet Juventus. The quarter-finals are set to take place on July 4 and 5, with the two semi-finals taking place on July 8 and 9 ahead of Sunday's final. Group stage win: £1.4million Group stage draw: £739,000 Round of 16: £5.5million Quarter-final: £9.6million Semi-final: £15.5million Final: £22.1million Winners: £29.5million For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Enzo Maresca sends transfer message to Chelsea defender and confirms two clubs 'like him' MORE: Chelsea star could push for transfer after Arsenal and PSG interest MORE: Dortmund interested in £35m Chelsea star as Jamie Gittens transfer gets closer
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Enzo Maresca speaks on Trevoh Chalobah's future, admits 'anything can happen' in the window
Enzo Maresca speaks on Trevoh Chalobah's future, admits 'anything can happen' in the window Enzo Maresca has confirmed he doesn't want Trevoh Chalobah to leave this summer, but admitted anything can happen in the transfer market. The Blues are once again set for a busy summer and have already completed the signing of Liam Delap, whilst a deal for Jamie Gittens is said to be close. Advertisement Chelsea are also in the market for a versatile forward and centre back, whilst they are looking to move on as many as ten players. Enzo Maresca speaks on Trevoh Chalobah future Chelsea have a number of options at centre back, but there's expected to be movement with the likes of Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi set to leave. There are question marks surrounding the future of Benoit Badiashile, whilst Chalobah is thought to be attracting interest from Napoli. Chalobah was rewarded with an England debut following his Chelsea form. (Photo by) Chelsea sent Chalobah on loan to Crystal Palace last season, but he was recalled in January after injuries to Wesley Fofana and Badiashile. Advertisement The England international impressed over the second half of the season and helped Chelsea qualify for the Champions League and win the Conference League. However, Chalobah still faces an uncertain future, although Chelsea aren't actively looking to sell him, and Maresca has now spoken on his future. More Stories / Latest News Enzo Maresca speaks on Trevoh Chalobah's future, admits 'anything can happen' in the window 28th Jun 2025, 09:45am 'In the next months' – Journalist reveals when Tosin Adarabioyo is set to make major career decision 28th Jun 2025, 09:15am 'No approach or talks' – Romano shuts down reports of Chelsea's interest in Premier League star Advertisement 28th Jun 2025, 08:45am 'All the players with us, I don't want to lose them,' he told his pre-match press conference. 'But when the window is open, anything can happen. He helped us get a top four spot and we are happy with Trev, but anything can happen, for any of the 25 players in our squad.' Chelsea in the market for another centre back Despite the options at centre back the Blues are thought to be looking to bring another one in and have been linked with Marc Guehi and Jarrad Branthwaite. However, it's been reported a move for Guehi is unlikely at this stage, whilst Branthwaite is set to sign a new contract at Everton. Jorrel Hato is another name of interest and the Blues are thought to have held initial conversations with Ajax over a move, but face competition from other Premier League clubs.
