Enzo Maresca to Manchester City: The four Chelsea stars he reportedly wants to bring with him
The football world received two major updates this week. David Ornstein confirmed Pep Guardiola will end his ten-year run at the Etihad this summer, just as news broke that Enzo Maresca is set to take over. This transition is moving faster than expected.
Maresca left Chelsea on New Year’s Day after clashing with the board, despite leading the Blues to wins in the Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Things soured quickly, but Maresca waited for the ideal role rather than accepting just any job. His patience paid off.
What Enzo Maresca to Manchester City mean for Chelsea’s transfer window?
According to a Daily Mirror report shared by TEAMtalk, Maresca has identified four Chelsea players he wants at the Etihad. Enzo Fernandez tops the list, with Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Joao Pedro also targeted.
Each player has an interesting backstory. Fernandez admitted in March that Maresca’s departure “hurt” him and that he didn’t understand the decision. While the Argentine has mentioned wanting to live in Madrid, Maresca’s move to City could affect his plans.
Palmer’s situation adds drama: he came through City’s academy, played 41 first-team games, and only moved to Chelsea in September 2023 because Guardiola couldn’t promise him regular minutes. Colwill is one of the top young centre-backs in the league, while Joao Pedro, a recent arrival, is already impressing elite clubs.
Could a Manchester City move actually happen for any of these players?
Chelsea will fight hard against losing players to a direct rival. Hiring Xabi Alonso shows ambition and could convince Fernandez that the BlueCo project has real long-term appeal.
3 players Xabi Alonso must immediately sell at Chelsea
Opinion: Who will Chelsea actually sell, and what City genuinely need?
Chelsea will not sell four players to Manchester City. That rarely happens between major rivals. Enzo Fernandez is the only realistic departure. His contract is uncertain; his loyalty to Maresca is strong; and Chelsea’s absence from the Champions League weakens their negotiating position.
Chelsea manager confirms injury setback for Blues midfielder
City, on the other hand, badly need a midfielder with both creative vision and physical strength after a tough transitional season, and Fernandez is a perfect profile. Palmer, Colwill, and Joao Pedro will likely stay. Colwill is central to Alonso’s defensive rebuild, Pedro is simply too new and too promising to sell right now, and Palmer, despite his City past, is the exact player Alonso will want to build his new Chelsea team around. If Enzo Maresca to Manchester City results in just one signing from this list, Fernandez is the choice that works for everyone, and a weakened Chelsea might not be able to block it.