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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca reveals transfer plan for ‘top defender’
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 28 Jun 2025 05:40 CDT
- 4 min read
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is plotting the Blues’ transfer plans as he attempts to negotiate the Club World Cup and has revealed that there is a plan already laid out for a “top defender”.
The West London side have been linked with a number of centre-backs as Chelsea seek to strengthen their defence, but Maresca’s first job will be to work out which defenders already on his books will stay.
One such figure is promising youngster Josh Acheampong, who has caused much excitement among Blues fans because of his potential.
The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances for the top team, half of which came in last season’s successful push to win the UEFA Conference League. With just five Premier League appearances to his name, the full-back’s future is uncertain, particularly with interest coming from Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.
Acheampong has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €9.3 million but Maresca says he has no intention of selling the England U20 star.
“My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. I feel the best plan for Josh is to be with us,” the Italian said.
Maresca discusses another Cobham graduate
Similarly, there are doubts over experienced academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah, who has been on the books of Chelsea for his entire professional career, despite several loans away from the club.
On the 25-year-old, Maresca said: “All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them. But then we said many times that when the window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen. To buy a player or to sell a player.
"Trevoh came back with us in January. If we did the Champions League spot in the top four, it's also because of Trevoh. He helped us a lot. In this moment, he played also some games here.
"He is with us. We are happy with him. Then, as I said, unfortunately, when the window is open, anything can happen, but not only for Trevoh, but for the 25 players of the squad."
Chalobah has an ETV of €20m but is a player who could well be sacrificed if Maresca chooses to strengthen this area of the side.
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