Emphasizing that Chelsea’s squad is not chaotic, manager Enzo Maresca addressed recent transfer developments at the club.
One of the notable moves was Joao Felix signing a seven-year contract with Chelsea, marking his return from Atletico Madrid where he had previously spent an underwhelming loan season in 2022/23. This transfer also played a role in Conor Gallagher’s move in the opposite direction.
Currently managing one of the largest squads in the Premier League, Maresca has made it clear that Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are not part of his immediate plans.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Conference League play-off against Servette, Maresca defended the club’s transfer decisions, stating that criticism of their transfer policy is unjust.
“I am not working with 42 players, I am working with 21 players in first-team training,” explained the Italian manager. “It’s not a mess like it looks from outside. The other players can even have 20 years contract, it is not my point. I don’t care.”
– ‘Impossible to give everyone minutes’
Regarding Sterling and Chilwell, Maresca mentioned, “In this moment, they are training apart from the squad. As I said, the situation with both of them is quite clear.”
He further added, “We have a big squad, for me, it’s impossible to give everyone minutes so if they’re looking for minutes, probably it is better to leave. And in case they don’t leave, they have a contract here, they are Chelsea players.”
Speaking optimistically about Joao Felix, Maresca praised the player’s versatility, stating, “He is a good player, a talent. The club already knows him from two years ago. He can play different positions with us, inside, as a nine, outside.”
Although the transfer fee for Joao Felix was not disclosed, reports suggested that Chelsea agreed to pay £40 million ($51 million) to Atletico Madrid for the former Benfica star.
Before joining Chelsea permanently, Gallagher’s move was initially planned to Atletico Madrid but fell through due to failed negotiations for Samu Omorodion.
Gallagher, who had trained alone upon his return to Chelsea, expressed his excitement about rejoining Chelsea, sharing, “I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back.”
Previously winning the 2019 Europa League with Chelsea, Gallagher made 95 appearances and scored 10 goals for the London club before departing.
AFP