Enzo Maresca to add six players to Chelsea squad in £113m rebuild as transfer spree vindicated

Enzo Maresca to add six players to Chelsea squad in £113m rebuild as transfer spree vindicated

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Enzo Maresca could add six new first-team players to his Chelsea squad this summer. The Blues enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, climbing to second in the Premier League table and, at one stage, they were considered to be potential title contenders.

Unfortunately for Maresca, though, Chelsea had a bit of a wobble over the festive period, falling well behind Liverpool and Arsenal. Following injuries to big names and some questionable recruitment decisions in January, the West Londoners have struggled to transform their fortunes in the new year.

Chelsea now sit fifth; they're one point behind Manchester City in fourth and 21 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the top of the table. Regardless of whether the Blues secure qualification to the Champions League, Maresca will be eager to strengthen his squad in the summer.

Fortunately for the Italian, Chelsea already have significant firepower on the way. At the end of the season, Maresca can add at least six new first-team players to his roster as part of a much-needed rebuild: Estêvão Willian, Kendry Páez, Andrey Santos, Djordje Petrovic, Renato Veiga and Lesley Ugochukwu.

They have each caught the eye while on loan this season, and they’re expected to make a great impact when they arrive at Cobham training ground in the summer. By integrating Estêvão, Páez, Santos, Petrovic, Veiga and Ugochukwu, who Chelsea signed for a combined £113m, the club can redistribute funds elsewhere.

For instance, the Blues could put all their eggs in one basket and target a new striker, knowing they’re already bolstered in numerous other positions on the pitch. Since buying Chelsea in May 2022, the new owners have forked out just over £1bn on new players.

But, only £42.3m has been spent on senior strikers: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £10.3m in September 2022, and Nicolas Jackson, who joined the Blues from Villarreal in June 2023 for £32m.

Chelsea also signed Deivid Washington from Santos for £17.2m in August 2023 and Marc Guiu from Barcelona for £5m in July 2024, but neither have been considered as immediate Premier League starters. The former of the two is still yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues, and he's currently on loan at Santos.

So, the West Londoners could finally enter the market for a new striker – without the stress of improving other areas of the pitch. Maresca could always welcome a few more first-team players back to his squad this summer.

João Félix, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Caleb Wiley, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Fofana and Armando Broja have also been out on loan this season. However, it could be difficult for either of the eight aforementioned players to break into the side.

If Maresca wants to add some more youth to his squad then he has some exciting talent to choose from. Carney Chukwemeka, Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders, Leo Castledine and Alfie Gilchrist, among others, have been out on loan this term, and they’ll be keen to make an impression in pre-season training.

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