Enzo Maresca’s biggest demand of the Chelsea hierarchy over the summer was for them to bring him a new central defender following the injury of Levi Colwill.
Maresca was told to use the options he already had, but frequent fitness woes for Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile have left him short for options at time.
It has been reported that Chelsea are looking at centre-backs for January, however it remains to be seen whether they have the funds to do so in line with recent UEFA sanctions.
When looking at players who have come and gone from the first team squad in recent years, the Blues have let one go who would have been perfect in Maresca’s squad.
Arsenal v Chelsea - The Emirates FA Cup Final
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Former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake would have been perfect for Enzo Maresca
Nathan Ake made 17 appearances for the Blues after coming through the Chelsea academy, eventually permanently moving on to Bournemouth.
Chelsea were linked with Ake a number of years ago, and his skillset is exactly what the current Blues boss is looking for in his defenders.
The Dutchman is brilliant on the ball, and has the versatility to play at centre-back and left-back, making it easy for Chelsea to move into a back three when in possession.
Ake has not been as big in Pep Guardiola’s plans this season as he has before. He has only made five appearances in the Premier League so far.
While he would have been perfect for the current Chelsea side, his history at the club likely makes any potential return very difficult to see coming.
Enzo Maresca looks on during Chelsea training session
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Jose Mourinho left Ake ‘broken’ at Chelsea
Despite making a handful of appearances under him, it was Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge that signalled the beginning of the end of Ake’s time at the club.
The defender said in 2019 that the club legend left him ‘broken’ with how he treated him.
He told Sports Illustrated: “The season after Benitez left, I thought this was going to be my season. Then Jose Mourinho came and, without training, I got dropped into the second team.
“That was one of the toughest things for me, mentally. I was quite broken. Everything was going great, I played a few games, I was young player of the year and then I was in the reserves again.”
Maresca missed out on the chance to utilise Ake in his side, but will be hopeful chiefs at the club have heard his demands for a new defender loud and clear.