Chelsea’s first January transfer decided as board make Maresca sack call | Football | Sport
It is looking increasingly likely that Chelsea will begin next season with a new head coach. Enzo Maresca has been feeling the pressure, with concerns over his amount of rotation, play style, and results. The Blues do not recruit with a specific tactician in mind, however, and such speculation is unlikely to have a big impact on their spending in January.
The Telegraph claim that the Chelsea board is losing patience with Maresca and although unlikely to sack him this week, there is a growing expectation that he will not be in charge for the 2026/27 season. Here, Express Sport has taken a look at Chelsea’s priority signing this month…
Tom Parsons – Murillo
Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, with the Blues conceding two goals from long throw-ins.
Enzo Maresca needs a big, powerful, centre-back who can win headers in the box and offer better protection to Robert Sanchez, who has underwhelmed in the Chelsea net again this season.
And Nottingham Forest star Murillo would be the perfect man for Maresca, but Chelsea may have to pay through the nose to get him to Stamford Bridge.
Jack McEachen – Mike Maignan
Chelsea opted against paying to bring in Mike Maignan from AC Milan a few months ago and it is a decision that has backfired.
Robert Sanchez has failed to win over his detractors and Chelsea are still in need of a top-quality goalkeeper, preferably one with experience of playing at a Champions League side.
The Blues are free to speak with French stopper Maignan regarding a pre-contractual agreement, as his deal at the San Siro expires in the summer, but landing him now for a nominal fee would ease the tension in west London considerably.
Archie Griggs – Murillo
The west Londoners have been linked with a move for Murillo since the summer and could have the perfect opportunity to strike in January.
The defender might be tempted to leave Nottingham Forest, given their precarious position near the relegation zone. However, a deal certainly won’t be cheap and Evangelos Marinakis will make it as difficult as possible for Chelsea to get their man.
Charlie Malam – Kobbie Mainoo
Much of Chelsea’s focus is on the upcoming summer windows, but an opportunity that may present itself to the Blues is Kobbie Mainoo. Any deal is heavily dependent on Manchester United’s activity but if they sign a midfielder, the door may open for the Londoners.
England international Mainoo is a player they greatly admire and his contract expires in 2027. It’s unlikely he’ll commit to a new deal at Old Trafford given how little he features under Ruben Amorim and a mid-season move would appeal given it could allow a late push to make England’s World Cup squad. Any January deal would surely cost £40million to £50m, though.
