Chelsea transfer news

ENZO MARESCA appears to have been left feeling blue after his first-ever Chelsea match.Maresca, 44, joined the Stamford Bridge outfit following Mauricio Pochettino’s exit at the end of last season.An image of new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca with his head in his hands went viralMaresca joined the club from LeicesterCredit: GettyThe Italian coach – the club’s fifth manager since the Todd Boehly-led Clearlake takeover – sparked excitement among fans after footage of his pre-season training sessions emerged.Fans no doubt hoped Maresca would be able to implement the same swashbuckling style of football which he used to take Leicester back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.However, with Chelsea some way off the pace last season after a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, there was always a sense the project would take time to bear fruit.Maresca took charge of his first game for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham during their US tour – with Reece James impressing in a new role on SunSport’s player ratings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChristopher Nkunku got them off to a great start before Wrexham surged in to a 2-1 lead after the break, though Lesley Ugochukwu was able to salvage a draw with a late goal.The game was also filled with drama as Levi Colwill was involved in a heated bust-up with Wrexham’s James McClean just TWO MINUTES into the California friendly.An image of Maresca with his head in his hands while on the bench went viral following the match.And fans were left with just one message: “Welcome to Chelsea.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea’s pre-season tourHere is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:RESULTSChelsea 2 Wrexham 2 – July 24 FIXTURESChelsea vs Celtic – July 27 – Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IndianaChelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaChelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OhioChelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaGotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New JerseyChelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DCA second said: “Welcome to the top league 😂.”Another said: “He’s already got headache.”Chelsea stars board flight to California for pre-season tour of USA fourth added: “Bro is tired already.”Chelsea’s next game is against Celtic on July 27 down in Indiana.Speaking about the team’s Wrexham draw, Maresca said: “The result is always important but in this moment, the most important thing is to judge the performance, especially after two weeks since we started. “I was very happy in the first half and also in the second half. Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.”It is a shame that we conceded the two goals but overall, when you think about players like Wes [Fofana] who played 45 minutes after a year out and different situations, [I am pleased].”The result for us is always important but in this moment, we have to judge different things so I am very happy with the performance.”He added: “In this moment we are trying to build with three [defenders] and two [in defensive midfield]. “First half it was with Reece James inside and in the second half it was with Malo Gusto inside.”It doesn’t matter what the level of the opposition is when they sit back with 11 players behind the ball, it is always difficult to find space and solutions. It is not easy.”We tried in the first half and we tried in the second half and for sure we did many things where we can improve. “But we only started two weeks ago so for me, tonight it was important to start to see the identity of the team and the identity is there.”Having already welcomed seven stars through the door, they are now edging closer to welcoming 22-year-old Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen in a £21million transfer.Maresca is said to be keen to add a new goalkeeper who is adept with the ball at his feet.READ MORE SUN STORIESJorgensen’s arrival may mean that Serbian Djordje Petrovic is sold just a year after he arrived at Stamford Bridge.The keeper has not travelled to the US with Chelsea due to a minor injury but is expected to join up with the squad at some stage. More

CHELSEA have boarded their flight for their pre-season tour of the US – but fans have been left fuming by one player’s absence.That’s after Trevoh Chalobah was left out of the team’s pre-season squad.Chelsea’s stars have boarded a flight to CaliforniaCredit: InstagramMykhailo Mudryk debuted a new hairstyleCredit: GettyReece James posed for the camerasCredit: GettyBut Trevoh Chalobah was left out of the pre-season tour squadCredit: GettyIt is believed that Chalobah is being frozen out of the squad with the club looking to force him to move.Chalobah, 25, is a product of Chelsea’s Cobham academy who played well under Mauricio Pochettino last season and is understood to want to stay.The player still has four years remaining on his contract, with it expiring in 2028.But, according to Fabrizio Romano, the club believe the squad is “heavy” at the back, having signed Tosin Adarabioyo this summer and wanting to get a look at young talent Josh Acheampong.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe Blues already have Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi at centre-back too.Chalobah attracted interest from Bayern Munich last year, with former manager Thomas Tuchel keen to link up with him again.West Ham and Fulham have also been regularly connected to the Englishman.Crystal Palace have reportedly had an approach for Chalobah turned down by the Blues.Most read in FootballBen Chilwell posed for the cameras as the squad flew to CaliforniaCredit: GettyNew signing Kiernan Dewsbury Hall posed with fellow ex-Leicester player ChilwellMalo Gusto will be competing with Reece James for a starting berth this seasonCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChelsea are said to value him at £30million but fans are not happy with how he has been treated.Reacting to the pictures of Chelsea boarding the plane ahead of the tour, which kicks off against Wrexham, one fan said: “Go back and get Trevoh.”Chelsea fans can’t wait for new season as video of training session emerges – but some fear ‘we’re revealing too much’Another fan said: “But why?” alongside a photo of Chalobah looking sad.A third fan said: “Justice for Chalobah.”Chelsea pre-season tour squad and notable absenteesGoalkeepers: Robert SanchezMarcus BettinelliEddie BeachLucas BergstromDefenders: Reece JamesMalo GustoJosh AcheampongWesley FofanaAxel DisasiTosin AdarabioyoBenoit BadiashileLevi ColwillBen ChilwellRenato VeigaMidfielders: Carney ChukwuemekaRomeo LaviaLesley UgochukwuKiernan Dewsbury-HallAndrey SantosForwards: Nicolas JacksonChristopher NkunkuRaheem SterlingMykhailo MudrykNoni MaduekeArmando BrojaTyrique GeorgeMarc GuiuAngeloNotable absentees: (Internationals)Cole PalmerConor Gallagher Enzo FernandezMarc Cucurella(Left out ahead of possible loan/sale)Romelu LukakuOmari Kellyman Alfie Gilchrist Bashir Humphreys Cesare Casadei David Datro Fofana Deivid WashingtonDjordje PetrovicWhile a fourth said: “Why would you force out an academy player who’s been with us since u-9?”A number of stars have joined Chalobah in missing the cut for the squad.Other notable absentees include Romelu Lukaku, Omari Kellyman, Alfie Gilchrist, Bashir Humphreys, Cesare Casadei, David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington and Djordje Petrovic.The club are thought to be exploring deals away for these players, with loans possible.Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella are all also missing after their teams went deep into the Euros and Copa America.The club has been rocked by Fernandez singing a racist chant after winning the Copa America, with Chelsea opening an investigation into the matter.Enzo Fernandez’ racist chant has rocked the squadCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezSeveral of his team-mates have unfollowed Fernandez on social mediaCredit: GettyThe chant, which contained racist and transphobic lines aimed at the French national team, was condemned by Enzo’s team-mate and France international Wesley Fofana.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was joined by Datro-Fofana in criticising Enzo for the vile chant and it has left the Argentine’s future at the club uncertain.Several members of the Chelsea squad are also said to have unfollowed Fernandez on social media.Chelsea’s pre-season tourHere is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:Chelsea vs Wrexham – July 24 – Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaChelsea vs Celtic – July 27 – Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IndianaChelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaChelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OhioChelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaGotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New JerseyChelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DC More

CHELSEA land in the US on Tuesday for their pre-season tour — but boss Enzo Maresca will feel like his feet have barely touched the ground since taking over.The racism row surrounding £106million Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez refuses to go away.Enzo Maresca will be taking charge of Chelsea’s pre-season tourCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez is in ArgentinaCredit: AFPFernandez shared a video that sparked a racism stormCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezChelsea’s players will play five games while on the tourCredit: GettyOn Sunday, thousands of River Plate fans sang the offensive chant about France’s national team as he was paraded at his boyhood club in Buenos Aires.So, while 23-year-old Fernandez is on a different continent, he is still giving his manager a headache as they arrive in California.Problems always seem to be just around the corner at Chelsea and the fallout from Fernandez filming his international team-mates chanting the vile song after their Copa America final win has been significant.The player effectively lobbed a grenade into Chelsea’s multi-cultural dressing room — sending it into complete meltdown.READ MORE ON CHELSEAUp to ten Blues stars either unfollowed or snubbed Fernandez on social media, while French team-mate Wesley Fofana blasted the “uninhibited racism”.Fernandez will not join Chelsea on their US tour — which has other problems — but his presence will hang over the fortnight-long trip.He has apologised and the Blues have launched an investigation.But neither of those actions will have healed the wounds among the club’s French contingent, which includes Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu and Fofana, with three other non-French players also believed to angered by Fernandez’s actions.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNew Stamford Bridge chief Maresca must now try to pick up the pieces in the USA.Dealing with a group who are angered at racist references to their African heritage is not something the Italian would have prepared for.Chelsea fans can’t wait for new season as video of training session emerges – but some fear ‘we’re revealing too much’Chelsea’s pre-season squadHere is a look at Chelsea’s full squad for pre-season…GoalkeepersRobert Sanchez Marcus BettinelliEddie BeachLucas BergstromDefendersReece JamesMalo GustoJosh AcheampongWesley FofanaAxel DisasiTosin AdarabioyoBenoit BadiashileLevi ColwillBen Chilwell Renato VeigaMidfieldersCarney ChukwuemekaRomeo LaviaLesley UgochukwuKiernan Dewsbury-HallAndrey SantosForwardsNicolas JacksonChristopher NkunkuRaheem SterlingMykhailo MudrykNoni MaduekeArmando BrojaTyrique GeorgeMarc GuiuAngeloPlayers who have been at Cobham with the former Leicester boss since the start of this month have been impressed by his intense early sessions.The squad have been worked hard but also given more time working with a ball at their feet — always a popular move — with Maresca joining in plenty of the sessions.But now, there is an early test of how he manages the group when things go wrong.Does he come down hard on Fernandez or try to bring his squad back together?For someone with only one full season in management, this will be a lesson on how serious issues can become under the spotlight of a big club.Keeping players happy while on the tour — which begins with a match against Wrexham in Santa Clara in the early hours of Thursday morning — will be the priority for now.One plate Maresca will not have to spin is new signing Caleb Wiley, 19.The USA international left-back inked a six-year deal after joining from MLS side Atlanta for £8.5m. Wiley is in Paris as part of his country’s squad for the Olympic football tournament.And he is expected to  be immediately sent out on a season-long loan to Strasbourg, who are part of the same ownership group as Chelsea.The idea of pre-season jaunts used to be a solid block of time on the training pitch with the players to really get to grips with them and form new bonds.Now, cash is king and preparation for a tough season takes a back seat.That means Chelsea, over the next two weeks, will take in five games in five different cities, travelling almost 13,000 miles from London in the process.And if there are complaints about overworking players coming from the club over the season, we’ll know where it all started…The hectic schedule, which also sees Maresca’s men take on Celtic, Club America, Manchester City and Real Madrid, has given some players flashbacks to 2022.That US tour, where players — senior and fringe — were split into two groups, caused huge problems for Thomas Tuchel.The German was sacked just six games into the 2022-23 season.His successor, Graham Potter, later revealed the trip had upset the camp.He said: “Speaking to a few of the experienced guys, they thought it was the worst pre-season they’ve had, for different reasons.“That isn’t to blame anybody. It’s just that it happened.“It was more organisationally the tour didn’t work as well as they’d have liked.”That trip was just three games, so playing five this time has not gone down well.READ MORE SUN STORIESMaresca will not have experienced this amount of interest, from fans and commercial partners, before — even as Pep Guardiola’s No 2 at City.Chelsea, with their American ownership, are a different beast, even to Pep’s Treble winners.Chelsea’s pre-season tourHere is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:Chelsea vs Wrexham – July 24 – Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaChelsea vs Celtic – July 27 – Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IndianaChelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaChelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OhioChelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaChelsea Women’s fixtures:Gotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New JerseyChelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DC More