Enzo Maresca says Chelsea are in the market for new signings – with a striker high on his wish list.
The Blues have added 10 more players to an already disappointing squad this summer, meaning Maresca must carefully manage fringe players such as Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell who were ruled out of first-team training after being told they could leave.
Going out, rather than coming in, will look to be the main focus this coming week but Maresca says there are still areas in the team that need strengthening.
“If we sign for the purpose of signing, it is better not to sign anymore because there is no need to sign players just for this,” he said.
“But if we are going to sign players because they will help us improve, we are sure that we will sign players – if not we are happy as we are.”
Chelsea signed striker Marc Guiu from Barcelona earlier this summer but, at 18, Maresca feels he lacks the experience to back up Nicolas Jackson for a full season.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has long been linked with the Stamford Bridge club, who are also reportedly interested in Aston Villa's John Duran.
“I love Marc,” Maresca told the Guardian following Chelsea's 2-0 win over Swiss side Servette in the Europa Conference League last night. “But if we have the chance to bring in a No 9 who can help us we will try – otherwise we are good.”
🤝 @NoniMadueke_ giving us that two goal cushion. 😁#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/dfqG1oJaUi
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024
Next up for Chelsea are Wolves on Sunday when Maresca considers whether to include Joao Felix for the trip to Molineux.
“If he is there, he definitely has a chance to play,” he said. “About knowing how we want to play, not yet, but physically I think he is ready. He is mature enough to understand what he should do and learn from his past mistakes. Overall he is a player who will help us.
“I knew about him when he was at Benfica, where he was already scoring a lot of goals and everyone suspected that he would be a top-class, top-class player. He has played with Benfica, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona – big big teams – and we are happy to have him here. “
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