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Enzo Maresca | Getty Images
Chelsea have the opportunity to add more bodies to their squad this summer
Chelsea turned to Enzo Maresca 12 months ago as their replacement for Mauricio Pochettino. The former Manchester City coach caught their eye at Leicester City and subsequently switched to Stamford Bridge. He has since guided the London club to Europa Conference League glory and back into the Champions League.
The Blues have delved into the market this summer to bring in striker Liam Delap. He has been thrown a top flight lifeline following Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship. Maresca has the chance to bring in more new faces over the next couple of months.
Chelsea linked with West Ham attacker Mohamed Kudus
Chelsea have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign West Ham attacker Mohamed Kudus, according to Sky Sports. The Ghana international, who has 42 caps to his name, has emerged as an option for the Blues. They have a decision to make about whether to lodge an official offer.
Kudus, 24, would give them something different up front. They have a large squad though and could do with offloading some players first and foremost before bringing more in. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Kudus would inject more quality into Maresca’s ranks.
The forward was snapped up by West Ham back in 2023 and has since become one of their key players. He started his senior career over in Denmark as a youngster with FC Nordsjælland. His first-team breakthrough in Scandinavia alerted the attention of Ajax who swooped in for him in 2020.
Kudus went on to play 87 games during his days in Amsterdam and scored 27 goals. He helped his former team win the league title twice. The Hammers then came calling and he decided to move over to England to try something new.
He hit the ground running almost immediately in the Premier League and found the net on 14 occasions during his first campaign, eight of which came in the league. However, he struggled to reach the same heights last term. He only scored five goals altogether, hence why he is now being linked with an exit.
Chelsea should offer Christopher Nkunku in return
Christopher Nkunku needs a change of scene and West Ham would be an ideal next destination for him. They would be able to offer him regular football which is what he needs. The Hammers could also provide him with the platform to show what he can do, with a view to moving on after them.
Therefore, Chelsea should try and tempt Graham Potter into swapping Kudus for Nkunku. That is an arrangement that suits both parties involved. It also ensures neither get left short changed and both benefit in their own way. Nkunku was on the radar of Manchester United this past winter. However, a transfer to Old Trafford didn’t happen in the end and he stayed put where he was. The Blues forked out £53million to sign him in 2023 and United weren’t willing to match that.
The 27-year-old is in limbo a bit now and it remains to be seen at this stage whether he will be sticking around. There is no doubting his ability and he is a useful player to have for Maresca at his disposal. He isn’t guaranteed a place in his starting XI though and he is an expensive asset to just have sitting around on the bench.
West Ham could do with getting someone like him through the door. They need a player to get their fans off their seats and excited. Last term was a disappointment for the Hammers and Potter will be under pressure now from the off in the new campaign to get results.
The ex-Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea man was picked as their replacement for Julen Lopetegui. However, he hasn’t been able to make the impact he would have wanted to so far. It isn’t his team yet though and he needs time to bring in his own type of signings.
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