FOOTBALL
Posted on June 23, 2026 11:30 pm | Updated on June 23, 2026 10:25 pm Chelsea agree £17m deal as Maresca closes in on City.
CHELSEA
Chelsea is one of England’s premier football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Known for its strong squad, tactical versatility, and competitive history, Chelsea has won multiple league titles, domestic cups,… Read More about CHELSEA
Man City have agreed a compensation package with Chelsea, clearing the path for Enzo Maresca to officially become their new manager.
Maresca clears the final hurdle to become next manager of Man City
As reported by Goal, the two clubs have agreed a financial settlement worth around £17 million, and Maresca will now travel to Manchester to sign his new deal. He will put pen to paper on a three-year contract that keeps him at the Etihad until 2029. Maresca left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day, but Chelsea still held him under contract and refused to let him go without a fight. Chelsea demanded compensation and even raised the possibility of filing a Premier League complaint, claiming City had approached him while he still worked there.
City grew increasingly frustrated as the talks dragged on longer than they had expected. As reported by The Guardian, figures inside the club felt “annoyed and frustrated,” particularly since they had long identified Maresca as their number one choice.
Enzo Maresca’s managerial record at Chelsea, as per FOTMOB:
Matches Won Lost Draw
92 55 21 16
Maresca’s record makes him the ideal successor
Maresca is no stranger to the Etihad. As reported by BBC, he worked under Guardiola as his assistant in the 2022-23 season, when City won the treble. That role gave him direct knowledge of how the club operates, how the squad trains, and how the system works from the inside. After that, he stepped into management with Leicester and led them straight back to the top flight before earning the Chelsea job in the summer of 2024. In his 18 months at Stamford Bridge, he averaged 1.97 points per game across 92 matches and delivered two trophies, the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
At the west London club, his team held the ball well, pressed from the front, and moved it quickly into the final third. At Leicester, the shape was just as organised, with a high defensive line and players who knew their roles in every part of the pitch. He has done it at two different clubs, in two different situations, and the approach has looked the same both times.
Those who have watched him closely are not surprised by this appointment at all. In fact, Sky Sports analyst Kaveh Solhekol said it simply: “He’s not coming in trying to get used to the place. He knows some of the players at City. I think he ticks every box.”
What comes next for Enzo Maresca at the Etihad?
Maresca will not have long to settle in. City host Bournemouth at the Etihad on August 23 in their first home league game. Before that arrives, he needs his midfield plans finalised, his backroom staff in place, and his pre-season schedule ready for when the squad returns to the City football academy.
The transfer activity is already moving quickly. As reported by TEAMtalk, Sporting Director Hugo Viana is closing in on Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and the 23-year-old set to undergo a medical in the United States. City have already tabled a package worth up to £121 million for the midfielder, which would surpass Liverpool’s £125 million deal for Alexander Isak as the biggest transfer fee ever paid for a British player. Indeed, Anderson is the kind of midfielder Maresca wants, someone who carries the ball well, presses hard, and finds space between the lines.
Guardiola won 20 trophies in ten years at the Etihad. That is the bar Enzo Maresca now has to meet, and there is no way around that fact. The groundwork is done. Now he has to deliver.
Also Read: Axel Disasi set for Chelsea exit after transfer decision
Also Read: Harrison Bettoni deal reached as Chelsea win race
Read More: Andrea Cambiaso bid sparks surprise Nicolas Jackson link
Follow the latest updates from Premier League, La Liga and Champions League, or explore more Football stories, Football Teams & All Football Competitions . Follow more updates on CHELSEA and MANCHESTER CITY. You can also check Latest Sports News or visit Six Sports for more Football updates.
Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape. Through her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.
Mentioned in this Article