EXCL: Why Chelsea chose Maresca, Benzema to discuss Al Ittihad future, what next for on-loan Barca duo, plus Man Utd wonderkid links & more

How Maresca became the outstanding Chelsea candidate and more transfer news in today's exclusive column.

Enzo Maresca to Chelsea - why they’re convinced he’s the man for the job

Enzo Maresca will be the new Chelsea manager - unless something crazy happens in the next 48 hours. It will be a ‘here we go’ soon because the latest contacts between Maresca and Chelsea were super positive. Maresca wants to go to Chelsea and never had any doubts despite some reports suggesting that maybe he wants to stay at Leicester. Although he loves and respects Leicester, it’s been very clear ever since Chelsea entered this story that Maresca wants to be the next Chelsea manager.

Maresca believes in the Chelsea project around young players with a big future, he thinks it is a really exciting project. Meanwhile, Chelsea are convinced he’s a super talented coach and that’s why he’s a name appreciated by both directors and owners, all convinced he can be the man for present and future. Maresca’s obsession with ball possession, quality football, dominating the game, his knowledge of elite football despite being a young manager - all of this made the difference for Chelsea to pick him.