Despite not officially announcing Enzo Maresca as of yet, it seems as if Chelsea are wasting no time in the transfer market elsewhere.
The club have seemingly already decided the areas of the squad that need improving in order to succeed under Maresca, starting with a ball-playing goalkeeper.
Neither Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic or the returning Kepa Arrizabalaga are famed for their decision-making behind the defence, and change can be expected.
FC Porto’s Diogo Costa was recently linked with a move to Chelsea, a 24-year-old who is expected to start for Portugal at the Euros.
Other names have surfaced too, such as Burnley’s James Trafford, who was actually dropped by the relegated side late in the season.
Of course, to fund this business and to create space in the squad, Chelsea will also need to sell.
And the club’s position on out-on-loan Ian Maatsen has now been made clear via a new update from Mail Sport.
Having played 90 minutes for Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s Champions League final, Maatsen is set to return to Stamford Bridge, but perhaps only for a brief stay.
Chelsea expected to sell Ian Maatsen amid interest from Premier League clubs
According to the report mentioned, Borussia Dortmund do not have first option on Maatsen this summer, and the left-back’s £35m release clause is open to any clubs interested in the 22-year-old.
Despite his mistake at Wembley on Saturday, Dortmund want to keep Maatsen, who has otherwise been superb.
READ MORE: German media deliver honest verdicts on Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen’s Champions League final display
The German side remain favourites to make that loan deal permanent, but could now face competition from clubs in the Premier League and La Liga.
Maatsen is an ‘exceptional’ talent and his performances on loan have understandably attracted a lot of interest.
The stance of Maresca on Maatsen’s future is not yet known, but the soon-to-be Chelsea boss is said to want to sign a new left-back, which perhaps tells a story.
Chelsea plan to immediately sell four players irrespective of Maresca’s arrival this month, making way for the club to bring better-suited faces in.
The west London club will surely be loath to endure as much change as they did last summer, but will also want to back Maresca’s stylistic change sufficiently.
That being said, it’s now been outlined why Tosin Adarabioyo chose a move to Chelsea over Newcastle United.