Manchester City are already laying the groundwork for a possible post-Pep Guardiola era, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the leading candidates under consideration should the Catalan manager step away next summer. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Maresca is highly regarded within City's internal discussions, with contingency planning now quietly underway amid widespread belief that the current season could be Guardiola's last at the Etihad Stadium.
- Chelsea are the frontrunners in the race to sign AZ Alkmaar wonderkid , according to iNews. While the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United are also keen on signing the 19-year-old midfielder, Chelsea have been quick to establish contact with the player's camp. Kees' transfer is valued at around the £25 million mark, although it's unclear if Chelsea would be willing to stump up such a sum in January. Newcastle, by contrast, are definitely pondering a move for the Netherlands international next month.
As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, the Eagles are making Diomande a top target to replace Marc Guehi, who continues to be targeted by Liverpool and other big clubs around Europe. Sporting don't want to sell Diomande and are pointing to his 80m release clause, which one imagines could prove problematic for Palace, but perhaps less so for Chelsea.
They didn't really create us too many problems, and it is important when it is 1-0, in the first ten to 15 minutes of the second half to stay in the game and give yourself the best opportunity to win.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has officially changed representatives, parting ways with his long-time agent Uriel Perez to join The Elegant Game, an agency co-founded by former Argentina international and Paris Saint-Germain star Javier Pastore. According to Fabrizio Romano, the change of representation has been finalised. By signing with The Elegant Game, Enzo joins a growing roster of South American talent under Pastore's management group, which has quickly gained traction in Europe's football circles for its strong ties with Serie A and La Liga clubs.