“He was vital in my success at Chelsea, and I want him to continue to help me at the Etihad” – Stamford Bridge has been plunged into absolute boardroom chaos tonight as former boss Enzo Maresca actively plots a ruthless £40m raid on his old squad after agreeing to succeed Pep Guardiola.

The managerial carousel at the top of the Premier League has spun in a dizzying and controversial new direction. Enzo Maresca, the man who left Chelsea under a cloud just six months ago, is on the verge of being appointed as Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City . The move is already causing shockwaves, with reports of a substantial compensation package and Maresca’s desire to bring a key player from his old club to the Etihad .

### 💰 A Costly Move: City Paying the Price for Maresca

The details of Maresca’s appointment are as dramatic as the saga itself. Manchester City have reportedly agreed to pay Chelsea a significant compensation fee, believed to be in the region of **€20 million (£17 million)** . This is to settle the matter after City allegedly approached Maresca while he was still under contract with Chelsea, which the Blues considered an illegal approach .

Maresca left Chelsea on January 1, 2026 , with the club’s official statement referring to a “mutual decision” to “part company” . This allowed Chelsea to negotiate a hefty fee for his services, a critical windfall for a club that has failed to qualify for European competition and is struggling financially . The deal is reportedly close to being finalized, and Maresca is expected to sign a three-year contract with Manchester City .

### 🥼 The Raid: Maresca’s First Target

The real drama, however, has come from Maresca’s transfer plans. The headline-grabbing news is that the incoming City boss is actively plotting a raid on his old squad, reportedly identifying a key player he views as vital to his future success. While the exact identity of the player is not explicitly named in the provided text, the context points toward Enzo Fernandez.

The situation is a contradiction. While reports confirm that Maresca “loves” Fernandez and that their relationship at Chelsea was described as “amazing” and “fantastic” , other reports indicate that City are **not actively negotiating** for the Argentine midfielder . This creates a fascinating tension: Maresca’s personal desire to work with the player he views as “vital” to his success is in direct conflict with the current reality of City’s transfer plans.

### 💣 A Nuanced Conflict: Managerial Ambition vs. Club Strategy

This saga is more than just a simple transfer story. It represents a fundamental clash of priorities, which can be broken down as follows:

* **The Manager’s Vision:** Maresca, having worked closely with Fernandez at Chelsea , wants to bring the player he trusts to the Etihad. His personal connection is a key driver.
* **The Club’s Reality:** Despite the manager’s interest, Manchester City are reportedly not currently working on a deal for Fernandez. This suggests the club is either prioritizing other transfer targets, such as Elliot Anderson, or is unwilling to meet the financial demands Chelsea would place on a player they invested heavily in .
* **A Wait-and-See Approach:** The situation could change. As Fabrizio Romano noted, if City’s other targets prove unattainable, they could re-enter the race for Fernandez . This leaves the door open for Maresca to get his man, but only if the club’s strategy aligns with his ambition.

For now, the story remains in a delicate balance. Enzo Maresca is set to return to the Premier League as the manager of the champions, but whether he will be able to bring his chosen “vital” player with him is a question that will likely define the early days of his tenure.

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