Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will have many issues to sort out once he arrives at Stamford Bridge, but one area may take priority over the rest as he moulds the squad to his liking ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Italian is set to take over at the start of July but has already seen one key arrival, with Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo’s entrance set to mark a new defensive era for Chelsea following the departure of 39-year-old Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian returned to Fluminense after a stellar four-year stint with the Blues, but leaves a huge hole which Maresca will hope the 26-year-old can fill. Silva’s compatriot Pedro Lima could have been the second arrival for Chelsea this summer, but the 17-year-old right-back’s move to the Blues was suddenly hijacked by Wolves in a deal that left many stunned.
Other potential arrivals include Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who the Blues have tracked for over a year now having previously failed to tie him down last summer. The French youth international is understood to be open to the move, but will set Chelsea back over £60million – nearly double what they tried to pay last year before the 22-year-old signed his new deal with the Eagles.
In order to force that deal through and balance out the books, there will no doubt be some outgoings as well with stars such as Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and even Conor Gallagher all rumoured for exits this summer. Another pair set to be ushered out are goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Former Brighton shot-stopper Sanchez’s first season with the Blues floundered after knee injuries meant backup Djorde Petrovic was given the chance to prove himself worthy of the No.1 shirt – an opportunity he grasped with both gloved hands. It meant Sanchez would play just twice for Chelsea after the turn of the year and could be cut off just 12 months into his seven-year deal if they can find a suitable offer for him.
Kepa’s situation, on the other hand, is more simple: the Spaniard’s loan move to Real Madrid after being considered unnecessary by ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino went terribly, with the ‘keeper only making 10 La Liga starts before being benched for Ukraine international Andriy Lunin for the rest of the season having only played three league matches in 2024.
Kepa made no secret of wanting to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, but Chelsea will try to recoup as much of the £72m they spent on the 29-year-old back in 2018. According to CaughtOffside, the Blues are now looking at potentially bringing in either Porto’s Diogo Costa or Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, with Costa’s contract running out in 2027 while Oblak’s ends in 2028.
What this all means for Petrovic is unclear at this stage, but mixed reports have suggested that while Maresca does hold Sanchez in high regard, he’s one of many players set to be made available this summer with no indication that the Serbian international will share the same fate.
