Enzo Maresca’s place at Chelsea has come underneath intense scrutiny following a disastrous December that ended the membership’s title ambitions.
The bookmaker has additionally lowered the possibilities of the Italian turning into the Premier League’s subsequent managerial sufferer.
Soccer Insider studies that Maresca’s odds of dropping his job have been lowered to only 8/1, leaving him tied for third place behind Nuno Espirito Santo and Scott Parker.
In line with media sources, Bruco already has contingency plans in place in case Maresca is compelled to be fired, however no formal resolution has but been made concerning Maresca’s future.
The 45-year-old is credited with successful the Convention League and Membership World Cup in addition to qualifying for the Champions League final season, however a bout of poor kind in December has severely broken his confidence in his skill to make sustained progress.
Chelsea have already chosen an ‘distinctive’ supervisor if Maresca is sacked
Italians are underneath rising strain.
Chelsea are backside of the desk this season, thirteenth at residence, and have solely picked up seven factors from a possible 21 factors amid their latest disastrous kind.
Defeat to Aston Villa and dropping factors towards Bournemouth, who’ve now gone 9 video games with out a win, have been significantly damaging, with supporters questioning whether or not Maresca is the proper man to steer the group ahead.
Former Barcelona supervisor Xavi has emerged because the bookmakers’ favourite alternative candidate at 5/1, forward of Marco Silva at 6/1.
Strasbourg supervisor Liam Rosenior stays a powerful candidate in case an possession change is required at Bruco, however the membership want to have a proper assessment in the summertime relatively than making a hasty resolution halfway via the season (Simon Phillips).
Maresca’s public feedback after the Everton win, during which he referred to a “worst 48 hours” on the membership, sparked hypothesis about inside tensions with sporting director Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart.
Former Man United striker Wayne Rooney warned such feedback might price Maresca essential safety from possession if his efficiency continued to deteriorate, suggesting the Italian undermined his place by showing to problem those that employed him.
Upcoming matches towards Man Metropolis and Arsenal might be essential in figuring out whether or not Maresca survives, however within the meantime, Chelsea wish to resolve their striker challenge.
Liam Delap has not been capable of make a lot of an influence since arriving from Ipswich this summer season attributable to harm, however Chelsea imagine they lack high quality of their high line.
Chelsea provide ‘new transfer’ to FC Porto striker Sam Agehowa
In line with Simon Phillips, he has additionally heard whispers from sources a few new method for FC Porto striker Sam Agehowa.
The Spaniard has taken the Primeira Liga by storm since becoming a member of from Atlético Madrid in 2024, and has as soon as once more attracted curiosity from Chelsea, who have been near signing him in the summertime.
Phillips reported through his Substack that Chelsea might attempt to re-sign Agehowa regardless of his exorbitant £87 million launch clause. He additionally shares what’s “uncommon” concerning the story from his sources.
The reporter stated, “I’ve heard a few new transfer geared toward signing a 21-year-old striker.”
“Sam has scored 18 targets in 24 video games for Porto this season and completed final season with 27 targets in 45 video games.
“He has come to the eye of Chelsea once more and one thing uncommon has occurred right here that within the final week alone I’ve heard his title from not only one, however two high sources. That is why I do know this can be a very critical concern and I think about there was contact along with his officers.”
“Chelsea discover themselves missing as soon as once more within the ninth place, in order that’s not the one recreation to look at.”
Different studies counsel that Chelsea face stiff competitors from Tottenham for the 21-year-old, with Chelsea themselves on the lookout for replacements for the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Good alternative for Delap: Chelsea in contact for £44m CF ‘everlasting’ deal
Chelsea are reportedly focused on signing the star participant who can be the proper successor to Liam Delap.
