Enzo Maresca is poised to become the new Manchester City manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure this summer, and is already reportedly considering reinforcing the squad with players from his former club, Chelsea. Talks between Maresca and the City hierarchy have already begun, raising the possibility of a reunion with several Blues players.
Enzo Fernandez is the most heavily linked potential transfer, with reports suggesting the Argentinian midfielder is open to leaving Stamford Bridge. Maresca previously elevated Fernandez to vice-captain and deployed him in a more advanced role, resulting in an impressive 15 goals and 19 assists in 79 appearances under his management. Fernandez’s current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €91.3 million, with a range of €82.2 million to €100.4 million according to FootballTransfers data.
Marc Cucurella is another player Maresca is familiar with, having helped the Spaniard establish himself as a key player at Chelsea. Cucurella’s ability to invert from left-back and contribute offensively, scoring five Premier League goals in the 2024-25 season, made him well-suited to Maresca’s tactical system. However, with City already possessing several options at left-back, including Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri, a move for Cucurella may be less straightforward despite previous interest.
A more speculative link is Chelsea academy product Reggie Walsh. Maresca gave the 16-year-old his debut in the Europa Conference League and subsequently his Champions League debut against Ajax, praising Walsh’s natural ability and suitability for his system. Maresca has publicly stated his admiration for Walsh, noting that the youngster instinctively performs to the standards he expects from senior players. A move for Walsh would represent a long-term investment and a show of faith in Maresca’s belief in the young player’s potential.
The potential acquisitions reflect Maresca’s desire to implement his preferred style of play at the Etihad Stadium, drawing upon players he knows well and who thrived under his guidance at Chelsea. These moves could quickly reshape City’s midfield and defensive options as they aim to continue their dominance in English and European football.
