As Enzo Maresca gears up for the upcoming season, he’s reportedly eyeing a reunion with a standout player from his Leicester City days at Chelsea.
With the anticipated exit of Conor Gallagher, Maresca, who officially takes the reins at Stamford Bridge on July 1, has already been strategizing with Chelsea’s hierarchy regarding potential transfers.
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The Italian tactician, who once served as an aide to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, was instrumental in Leicester City’s triumphant return to the Premier League, clinching the Championship title with aplomb.
Maresca’s wishlist for Chelsea includes a key player from his Championship-winning squad, with reports suggesting he’s keen on bringing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to London.
Dewsbury-Hall, 25, recently clinched Leicester’s Player of the Season award and earned a spot in the Championship Team of the Season, thanks to his impressive tally of 12 goals and 14 assists.
Despite drawing interest from several clubs last summer, Dewsbury-Hall remained with Leicester and played a pivotal role in their Championship victory.
With Gallagher linked to a potential transfer to Aston Villa and set to join England’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany, Maresca sees Dewsbury-Hall as the perfect successor.
Gallagher, a mainstay in Chelsea’s lineup last season, is approaching the final year of his contract, and Chelsea might opt to sell him now rather than lose him for free in 2025, with a £50m price tag reportedly set for Aston Villa.
The funds from Gallagher’s sale could largely finance the acquisition of Dewsbury-Hall, whom Leicester values at £40m.
Leicester has expressed disappointment over Maresca’s departure, and his pursuit of Dewsbury-Hall could further strain relations with his former club.
In the wake of Maresca’s switch to Chelsea, Leicester has been linked with Steve Cooper and Carlos Corberan as potential managerial candidates, as they ready themselves for Premier League action.
Chelsea’s sixth-place finish in the Premier League last term was salvaged by a strong finish under Mauricio Pochettino, who secured five consecutive wins to conclude the season and his tenure on a positive note.
