Enzo Maresca’s position at Chelsea has come under scrutiny following a disastrous December which saw the club’s title ambitions evaporate.
Bookmakers have also reduced the chances of the Italian becoming the next victim of the Premier League management.
Football Insider reports that Maresca’s odds have been reduced to just 8/1 of losing his job, making him third favorite behind Nuno Espirito Santo and Scott Parker.
Media sources suggest that BlueCo is already making contingency plans in case they are forced to sack Maresca, although no formal decisions have been made regarding Maresca’s future.
The 45-year-old retains some credit for last season’s Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, as well as qualifying for the Champions League, but December’s collapse has seriously undermined confidence in his ability to make lasting progress.
Chelsea already have an ‘exceptional’ manager if they sack Maresca
The Italian is under increasing pressure.
Chelsea sit 13th at home this campaign, collecting just seven points from a possible 21 during their dismal recent run.
Defeat against Aston Villa and dropping points against a Bournemouth side without a win in nine matches proved particularly damaging, with supporters questioning whether Maresca is the right man to take them forward.
Former Barcelona manager Xavi has become the bookmakers’ favorite replacement at 5/1, ahead of Marco Silva at 6/1.
Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior remains a candidate favored by BlueCo ownership if a change is necessary, although the club’s preference remains to conduct a formal summer review rather than make knee-jerk decisions mid-season (Simon Phillips).
Maresca’s public comments referring to his “worst 48 hours” at the club after the Everton win sparked speculation about internal tensions with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Former Man United striker Wayne Rooney has warned such remarks could have cost Maresca crucial ownership protection if results continue to deteriorate, suggesting the Italian undermined his position by appearing to defy those who employed him.
Upcoming matches against Man City and Arsenal could well prove crucial in determining whether Maresca survives, but in the meantime Chelsea are looking to resolve their striker problem.
Liam Delap has disappointed since leaving Ipswich in the summer, partly due to injury, but Chelsea feel he lacks quality up top.
Chelsea make ‘new move’ for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa
This is according to Simon Phillips, who has also heard rumors from his sources regarding a new approach for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
The Spaniard, who has taken the Primeira Liga by storm since arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2024, is attracting renewed interest from Chelsea after nearly signing him that same summer.
Phillips reports, via his Substack, that Chelsea could attempt to re-sign Aghehowa, despite his seismic £87million release clause. He also shares what’s “rare” about this story according to his sources.
“We are hearing about a new move to recruit the 21-year-old striker,” the journalist said.
“Samu has 18 goals in 24 games for Porto this season, and last season he finished the campaign with 27 goals in 45 games.
“He has attracted the attention of Chelsea once again, and the rare thing has happened here in that I have been informed of his name not by one source, but by two of my main sources last week. That is why I know that this is a very serious interest and I imagine that contact has been made with his team.
“There are more than one to watch now as Chelsea know they are missing the 9th position once again.”
According to other reports, Chelsea face stiff competition from Tottenham for the 21-year-old, who themselves are looking for an alternative to Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Perfect Delap replacement: Chelsea make contact to sign ‘full’ £44m CF
Chelsea are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a star who would be a perfect replacement for Liam Delap.
