After a 2-2 draw with Wrexham and a 4-1 thumping from Celtic, Chelsea fans could be forgiven for wondering what the hell has been going on behind the scenes since Enzo Maresca took over as first-team manager.
A school of thought that pre-season games don’t really matter, that it’s more about ensuring fitness levels improve as much as anything, is still unlikely to stop the Blues faithful thinking ‘here we go again.’
It hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that Maresca has never managed a team in the English top-flight, and those who point to the fact that he was one of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at Man City are somewhat missing the point.
In any event, it will be the business that the Italian does in the English top-flight that will be of most interest, including for owner, Todd Boehly, even if the signs aren’t particularly encouraging at present.
One piece of good news for Chelsea fans is the potential hire of Brazilian wonder kid, Gabriel Mec.
?? Chelsea are planning to advance on Gabriel Mec deal after presenting their project to 2008 born Brazilian talent.
Gremio wonderkid open to the move as Chelsea will now work on club to club agreement for Mec. ??
???? Decision on 2005 born GK Mike Penders also expected soon. pic.twitter.com/uOGkvlRhIZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2024
According to CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, the 16-year-old – who has yet to make a senior appearance for Gremio and has only five U20 appearances under his belt according to transfermarkt – is open to the move.
Clearly, therefore, Mec is being purchased with one eye on the future and, one would assume, because his transfer conditions would remain favourable to the Premier League outfit at this point.
With one of the bigger first-team squads in the English top-flight, buying players who could become regulars in a few years rather than immediately would appear to be a sensible way of working from the club.
Indeed, Maresca could probably do with shifting a few more players from his squad before the whistle blows for the upcoming campaign.
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