In a remarkably candid press conference ahead of the new season, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has strongly hinted that the club needs to make more signings, delivering a scathing assessment of his internal options to replace the seriously injured Levi Colwill.
When asked if existing defenders like Wesley Fofana or Benoît Badiashile could fill the significant void left by Colwill’s long-term ACL injury, Maresca was bluntly dismissive. He described a half Fofana played in that position as “probably one of the worst halves since we started,” and noted that when Badiashile played there in the Conference League final, the team was losing 1-0 before a change was made. “It’s not the same,” he concluded, making it clear he is not satisfied.
The manager was also brutally honest about the players who are up for sale this summer. He confirmed that wantaway striker Nicolas Jackson “can leave” and “is not going to be involved” with the first team while his future is resolved.
He added that young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also on the transfer list. “He is training with the ones that are waiting for a solution on their future… He’s probably going to have a chance to leave,” Maresca stated.
Finally, the manager identified another area in need of reinforcement: the left wing. “On the left side we have Jamie [Gittens] and Tyrique George… So probably also there we need something,” he said. This is a clear public call for a new winger and aligns with the club’s well-documented and ongoing pursuit of Xavi Simons.
Enzo Maresca’s message to the Chelsea board could not be clearer. He is not satisfied with his current squad depth, particularly in central defence and on the wing, and believes more reinforcements are essential before the transfer window closes.