Leicester City boss Maresca set to take fill top Chelsea job

Chelsea look set to appoint Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement.

The former Manchester City assistant boss is poised to sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian’s release clause at the Foxes is around the £8- £10million mark, with Chelsea co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart in Marbella for face-to-face talks with the 44-year-old this week.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, ex-Brighton chief Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank were also linked to the vacancy.

Leicester won automatic return to the Premier League in Maresca’s first season in charge, lifting the Championship title with 97 points.

Maresca, who featured for West Brom, Juventus and Sevilla during his playing days, took his managerial career to Man City’s elite development squad in August 2020. He worked then with now Chelsea star Cole Palmer and midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Speaking about Maresca’s job as elite development squad manager, City boss Pep Guardiola said in 2021: “He has shown he will become an extraordinary manager in the future.

“I feel it, like when I saw Mikel Arteta – it’s the same with Enzo. He helped to develop many young players.”

Pochettino was sacked after guiding Chelsea to sixth in the Premier League.

Manchester United’s FA Cup win means that the Blues will play in the Conference League next season.

Ipswich and Stuttgart are interested in signing forward Omari Hutchinson.

The 20-year-old has signed a contract extension with the Blues. The ex-Arsenal youngster scored 10 goals and picked up six assists for the Tractor Boys last season as they won promotion to the Premier League.

Chelsea have exercised an option to extend Hutchinson’s contract at Stamford Bridge to 2026.

The Blues are also reportedly considering a move for Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.

Ex-Man City youngster Adarabioyo will be a free agent this summer, with the centre-back refusing to sign a new deal at Craven Cottage.

Newcastle have tabled a healthy contract offer to the 26-year-old, but they have failed to qualify for European football, and Chelsea are looking to swoop for his signature.

PICTURE: PA