One Chelsea player is now keen to speak with Enzo Maresca – as he is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Italian arrives in west London with a lot to sort out, mainly the issue of high profile fringe players such as Romelu Lukaku, who is set to return from his loan spell at Roma.
There is another big name who spent the 2023/24 campaign away from Chelsea – and he is now hoping for a permanent exit following a conversation with Enzo Maresca…
Kepa Arrizabalaga targets Enzo Maresca talks as he aims to leave Chelsea
A story from London World now states that Kepa Arrizabalaga wants to sit down and hold talks about his future – as the Spaniard attempts to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
The £71m glovesman spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Real Madrid, making 20 appearances in total before losing his place to Andriy Lunin – after Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious injury.
Now – rather than fight against Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic for his Chelsea future – Kepa wants out.
London World believe the £170,000-a-week man is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and would even be happy to return to Real Madrid to deputise for Courtois and Lunin again.
However, sources state that Kepa would not accept the same role under Maresca, and will only consider staying in west London if he is “given a fair chance to fight” for the No.1 shirt, something he hopes to find out is possible or not during talks with the 44-year-old.
If Chelsea fail to offload the 29-year-old for good this summer, the Blues risk seeing a £71m investment walk away for nothing, as his contract expires in 12 months.
Blues should cut their losses
In our view, Chelsea should accept whatever Real Madrid may be willing to offer for a permanent deal and be done with it.
Kepa has failed miserably under several different managers now, as Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter all fail to get a strong level of performance out of him.
As aforesaid, the Ondarroa-born glovesman also slipped to third choice in just one season at Real Madrid last term, despite starting the campaign as Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred choice ahead of Lunin after Courtois was sidelined.
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Hopefully, Chelsea can make back at least £15m to £20m on Kepa this summer, and cut their losses for good.