Chelsea to pursue Serie A star after Enzo Maresca appointment

James Shearman

• Updated: 30 May 2024 21:38 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are expected to confirm the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach in the coming days.

Maresca emerged as an unlikely candidate for the job last week and it now appears that he has seen off competition from the likes of Kieran McKenna and Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian's most impressive feat to date is winning the Championship title this season with Leicester City.

Prior to that, he worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, which has led the Chelsea board to believe that he can emulate Mikel Arteta.

Arteta was also on Guardiola's staff before taking over Arsenal and turning them into title contenders.

While Maresca's move to Stamford Bridge has not yet been confirmed, the club are reportedly already working on signing players to suit his system.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

Chelsea interested in Serie A star

Italian outlet Tuttosport are reporting that Chelsea are weighing up a move for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Calafiori was integral to Bologna's improbable fifth place finish in Serie A this season.

Able to play as a centre-back or an inverted full-back, the 22-year-old would suit Maresca's posession-based system.

However, the Blues already have Levi Colwill, who is a similar player to Calafiori.

The Englishman did not have the debut campaign at Stamford Bridge that he would have liked but he is certainly part of the club's long-term future.

Meanwhile, both Marc Cucurella and Benoit Badiashile are solid options for the inverted left-back or left-sided centre-back positions.

There is no harm in having significant squad depth but Chelsea should be focusing on other areas before bringing in another defender.