Chelsea transfer chiefs appear set to be thwarted by European champions PSG in their pursuit of a top target, with Enzo Maresca dealt his first summer blow as he looks to reshape the squad in his image.
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The Italian views him as a top transfer priority.
Despite possessing a squad rich with youthful quality, their 3-1 Club World Cup defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo indicates there is still plenty of work to be done on the squad, with Maresca also looking to transform Chelsea into genuine title challengers.
The Italian, speaking in a press conference after Chelsea's damaging loss - which now makes their next game against ES Tunis an absolute must-win - admitted that he's currently experimenting with his system and tactics in preparation for 2025/2026.
Chelsea's best performers in the Premier League last season Average match rating
Cole Palmer 7.33
Moises Caicedo 7.02
Enzo Fernández 6.95
Nicolas Jackson 6.88
Noni Madueke 6.82
via WhoScored
“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals in a very short period, a very short moment — and then the red card,” Maresca said.
“Then it’s very complicated to come back into the game. We tried, but congratulations to them. I think we tried to do something different during the game, also for next season, but congratulations to them. Now we have one more game, and we are going to try to win the next one.”
Off the field, one of many items on Chelsea's to-do list when it comes to summer recruitment is the addition of a new central defender - which has long been rumoured as a priority.
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Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana face uncertain futures, according to some reports, with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande among the names on Chelsea's centre-back shortlist this summer.
However, Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi won't be moving to west London.
Chelsea target Illia Zabarnyi agrees to join PSG
Zabarnyi was called the Premier League's most "underrated" defender recently by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and Chelsea recently knocked on the Ukraine international's door in their pursuit of another option for the heart of Maresca's defence.
"He is probably the most underrated player," said Redknapp.
"I also spoke with Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, and he mentioned that Illia has everything it takes to reach the next level. Everyone is talking about Dean Huijsen. Yes, he is a fantastic young player, but Zabarnyi plays very aggressively in defense as well. I was genuinely impressed by him. He shows remarkable calmness on the pitch."
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Bournemouth are demanding around £51 million to let the 22-year-old leave, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Zabarnyi has agreed terms to join PSG despite Chelsea's attempts to sign him.
"He really is only focused on PSG,” Bailey told TBR Football.
“I am told that he has agreed personal terms in principle, but there is still some way to go in terms between Bournemouth and PSG. Bournemouth are not too happy with how this is going, but they know the player wants the move and has made that clear.
“When a team like PSG comes calling, even when there is no release clause – it is tough. I can confirm even in the last few weeks since it emerged about PSG, that Chelsea and Newcastle again asked the question, but were also told that he only wants PSG.”