Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The 24-year-old will be subject to a summer of uncertainty as he enters the last year of his contract at Stamford Bridge - with no progress made in renewing his deal.

Villa join Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham in showing interest, but Gallagher remains open to staying at his boyhood club, who he signed for aged just eight.

Both Chelsea and Villa must factor Premier League profit and sustainability rules into their summer activity.

The sale of academy stars helps free up ‘pure profit’ allowing clubs to spend more freely, with Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja among those who could be sold.

Chelsea have also previously expressed an interest in Villa striker Jhon Duran, 20, in January and continue to pursue further attacking signings.

They are also set to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer, amid a reported medical at Cobham on Tuesday.

Chelsea are confident they can rival Arsenal in the race to sign 21-year-old Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. (Standard), external

Fulham's English defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 26, has undergone a medical ahead of a move to Chelsea. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

The club summer is off and running, so what's the first thing that needs sorting out at Chelsea?

Is it a contract, a transfer, a fan issue or something else?

Tell us here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino - who left his role as Chelsea manager by mutual consent at the end of the season - has released a farewell message, external to Blues fans on social media.

Enzo Maresca was confirmed as his successor on Monday, after Pochettino achieved a sixth-place Premier League finish in his only season in charge.

"To the owners, the sporting directors, we appreciate the opportunity to return to the Premier League at this great club Chelsea and for the support you gave us, as well as from all the players, staff and fans - thank you," the Argentine said.

"We understand how important this football club is to you all and that is why we work so hard to give you a Chelsea you can be proud of.

"I am so pleased with the level the team reached and the way the players and staff have all worked so hard to increase their standards, they deserve great credit and I hope you felt that too in how they performed on the pitch.

"We know there have been ups and downs but we always believed in this team and that we would arrive at a consistent level.

"I believe the experiences of this season and big improvement we saw, I hope will only make the players stronger for the future. It has been a pleasure to work with them all and we appreciate the strong bonds we created in this last year together.

"I want to wish all of you the best for next season and beyond."

We asked for your views on new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, the length of his contract and how he will fit in at Stamford Bridge.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Steve: A crazy appointment! This could be another Graham Potter moment. I don't understand what is going on at our club. Pochettino had just got us going and he was playing our youngsters. Maresca having a stint under Pep Guardiola doesn't guarantee anything!

Fossie: Time will tell as to how well Maresca will do. A five-year deal is a long time and the club could end up paying wages for another short managerial stint, given their record. Apparently his tactics are similar to Pochettino's. I don't envisage much change in playing style but the defence must improve and that will go some way in improving our results.

Nick: When Potter arrived, we were told it was for the long-term and he would be given time, but he lasted less than a season. Then Pochettino was appointed to develop the younger players, he did that but lasted a season. Chelsea fans will give Maresca their support but, if he doesn't achieve top six, the fans will turn on Eghbali, Winstanley and Stewart.

Chris: Why is he any better than Pochettino? I find the whole thing baffling. These two Americans are making us a laughing stock. Pep's number two and one year at Leicester, is that really good enough for us? If it is, I fear our standards have dropped! We will see.

Mark: It is putting a lot of faith in the Pep effect. It's worth remembering that Arteta had never managed before when he took over Arsenal and, after an average start, they are one of the most consistent Premier League teams. Enzo has dealt with the expectation of getting Leicester promoted, so he has clearly got something going for him. Will the club give him the time? That's the question.

Daniel: I believe we will be able to win a trophy next season. I pray that we can sign Osimhen or Sesko because we need a world-class striker. I'm not saying that Jackson is bad, but we need someone that can actually finish. I really believe that we will succeed and I have Maresca's back. I pray he does well.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If we’re honest, some of the early reaction to Enzo Maresca’s appointment has been that of trepidation.

Chelsea fans will back their new manager but he arrives in unusual circumstances of succeeding Mauricio Pochettino, who had strung together five wins in a row at the end of last season.

Although the Argentine, 42, struggled to win over Chelsea fans throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, some were beginning to recognise the progress being made, and yearned for stability.

There’s a sense Chelsea have gone back to square one, albeit with a talented emerging coach, who learned his trade under Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea have also had some bad experience under possession-based managers, most notably fellow Italian Maurizio Sarri, who's style of football frustrated supporters.

When the football starts, they will get behind Maresca, but like every manager to date in west London, he will need to produce results quickly.

There is expectation from above to improve upon Pochettino’s last season despite a willingness to be patient and build under a new manager.

The fans are also hungry for silverware, having not won a trophy since the Club World Cup in February 2022.

Watch The Football News Show discuss Maresca here

Chelsea fan Teema Nicholls believes new manager Enzo Maresca "has to win a trophy and get top four" to be considered a success at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to the BBC's Football News Show, Nicholls affirmed how the owners have set certain targets in the past, and that these should be no different for Maresca:

"They talked about competing for trophies and regularly getting in the top four," she said. "If you're going to judge Pochettino on those standards, Maresca should also be judged on those."

"To go from Tuchel to Maresca in four appointments is quite something. They have taken a massive risk. If this doesn't work out it could turn toxic for them."

Watch the whole episode here

"Forwards leads way to cement place in squad for Euros".

That's the view of the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday as they reflect on Cole Palmer's display in England's 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Borussia Dortmund do not have first option to buy on-loan Dutch defender Ian Maatsen, with Chelsea's £35m release clause open to any clubs interested in the 22-year-old left-back. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Spanish football journalist and BBC columnist Guillem Balague has broken down how new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca impressed the Blues' hierarchy in his interview for the role.

"The five-year deal suggests that they have seen not only someone who is Chelsea quality but somebody that's got the energy to keep improving Chelsea and get them into the top four again," he told The Football News Show.

"All that comes off the basis of two things - what they saw he did at Leicester City and the interview being very impressive.

"Some people walk into the interview with Enzo Maresca feeling, 'Yeah we'll see... he's a Championship manager... hasn't got a lot of experience' and came out of it like: 'It has to be him'."

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Enzo Maresca was the first and unanimous choice among Chelsea's decision makers.

Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have been working 17-hour days leading up to this appointment of a man who also worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and managed Italian club Parma, alongside influential co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.

They were the three main parties who have opted to appoint Maresca in place of Mauricio Pochettino. He was selected from a four-man shortlist, including newly promoted Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

The 44-year-old Italian is believed to be a good fit for Chelsea’s model, a highly data-driven and sports science approach, in which the various departments at the club have input.

The club is moving away from a manager-led recruitment process, leaving the manager to focus on football, which was at times a point of friction between former manager Pochettino and the ownership.

Maresca is comfortable working in this structure and excited to focus on improving players and preparing for matches with strong resources.

He has already asked the data department for profiles on every player, including academy stars, and even key club staff, as he looks to get a head start ahead of his official start date on 1 July.

It is a sign of the excitement among the new coaching staff to work with this squad as they look to add a striker and, potentially, a further defender, as Chelsea close in on a move for Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham.

Maresca is expected to take several academy players in pre-season, including Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong, with some senior players expected back late from international duty at Euro 2024 and Copa America.

Chelsea are excited to see how Maresca’s tactical approach will work with their group of players, and believe that his association with Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, is a major positive.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella has broken down why Chelsea's hierarchy are looking for a head coach rather than a manager in their appointment of Enzo Maresca.

"They have a real structure in place, they are trying to become this modern behemoth club with departments," he told The Football News Show.

"They just want a coach to slot into their structure and to just do the management of the players, the tactics, and that's about it.

"A lot of people don't like it but Chelsea think this is the winning formula and they just need a coach to come in and do the coaching. They see Enzo Maresca as a good fit for that approach."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

So Chelsea fans, Enzo Maresca is the latest man to take charge of the Blues under the ownership of Clearlake Capital.

What are your thoughts on the appointment? What about the length of the deal? How will he fit in at Stamford Bridge?

Let us know here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Maresca says he is looking forward to developing a team that "continues the club's tradition of success" after being appointed as the new head coach of Chelsea.

The 44-year-old Italian - who guided Leicester to the Championship title last season - has signed a five-year contract, with a club option of a further year.

He replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who departed Stamford Bridge by mutual consent after guiding the Blues to a sixth place Premier League finish in his only season in charge.

"To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach," Maresca said on his appointment.

"It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.

"I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club’s tradition of success and makes our fans proud."

Chelsea’s ownership group added: "We are thrilled to welcome Enzo into the Chelsea family. We look forward to supporting him and the rest of the sporting team in fulfilling their potential and our expectations over the years to come.

"He is a highly gifted coach and leader that we are confident can help fulfil our vision and competitive goals for the club."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Maresca is expected to be unveiled as Chelsea’s manager today.

The Italian, 44, has signed much of the paperwork to secure his move to Stamford Bridge on a five-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months.

Six accompanying staff are expected to join Maresca, who moves from Leicester City to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero will return to his former club as Maresca’s assistant.

Coach Danny Walker met Maresca while working at Manchester City's academy; goalkeeper coach Michele De Bernardin, fitness coach Marcos Alvarez, and youth development coach Roberto Vitiello are believed to be among his staff.

Securing Maresca has been a slow process, but discussions over a final compensation fee and legal paperwork have slowed the move down.

An announcement was initially expected on Friday but was moved to Monday to give club lawyers more time to draft documents.

Chelsea have also agreed a move to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo over the weekend and an announcement could be made about his move later this week.

Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca will be announced as the new Chelsea coach on Monday, having signed a five-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is expected to be named the new Napoli coach this week. (Nicolo Schira), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column