Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, following UEFA Conference League final victory. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, following UEFA Conference League final victory. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, following UEFA Conference League final victory. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chelsea are looking to overhaul their forward options this summer
Many fans may see their achievements as the bare minimum, but 2024/25 has certainly been a successful campaign for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. With a return to Champions League football to look forward to, the Italian manager’s project has the potential to go from strength to strength.
Champions League qualification was secured with victory at the City Ground on the final day, after the club had remained in the top five for the vast majority of the season. It looked for a while in the spring as though they may fall away but they never did, which is a credit to Maresca and his young side. The cherry on the top was the Europa Conference League trophy, after the Blues once again overcame adversity to come from behind in a scintillating second-half display against Real Betis.
With a whole host of big-name players linked with the club and some of the world’s most promising teenagers from Brazil, Portugal and more waiting in the wings to soon arrive at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s future certainly looks bright.
Chelsea linked with Hugo Ekitike
One of several players linked with a big-money move to Stamford Bridge this summer is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who has been monitored by clubs across Europe after an impressive return of 15 Bundesliga goals this campaign. The 22-year-old has really come of age this campaign, and Chelsea have certainly taken notice.
The likes of Liverpool have also been linked with the French Under-21 international, who has been tipped for big things at wherever he ends up next. Frankfurt’s asking price could be the only sticking point, as the French club are reportedly holding out for a huge €100m (£85m) fee for Ekitike. Whether he is worth that kind of money remains to be seen, particularly considering the struggles of similarly big-money young strikers such as Rasmus Hojlund and Darwin Nunez.
The price doesn’t seem to be putting Chelsea off though, as they are said to be considering splashing out for Ekitike alongside fellow striker Liam Delap, who is reportedly close to a move to the Blues. This could leave the future of Nicolas Jackson at risk, but would certainly leave Chelsea with a selection of Europe’s best young strikers to choose from up top.
Personal terms with Ekitike have been agreed
The 22-year-old has been left out of the France squad for the 2025 Under-21 European Championship despite being on the provisional list for the tournament, with back problems stated as the reason for his absence. However, this could be seen to suggest that the player may soon be on the move and he will now have more time on his hands to resolve his transfer situation in the coming weeks.
Phillips stated that personal terms are “broadly” agreed after positive talks between Chelsea and the player’s agents, and confidence is growing from the club’s side that a deal can go through for Ekitike, though it remains to be seen whether the Blues can bring in either Delap or Ekitike before the Club World Cup begins on June 14.
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