Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca this week responded to an approach from Juventus as the Serie A giants search for a replacement for Igor Tudor.
2025/2026 has had a very mixed start for Maresca, who brought two big trophies in the first few months of the year.
Chelsea’s run of four successive wins in all competitions before last weekend’s disastrous loss to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge is the best indication of their instability to date, with Chelsea fresh off a win over Wolves at the bottom of the Premier League in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The West Londoners were 3-0 up thanks to first-half goals from Andrei Santos, Tyrik George and Estevao, but the home side seriously threatened an unlikely comeback when Tolu Alokodare and David Wolfe pulled it back to 3-2.
Summer signing Jamie Gittens then scored Chelsea’s fourth and first goal in the club’s history, while Wolff added another in stoppage time to make Maresca’s side sweat, but ultimately sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
The 4-3 win against Molineux was somewhat overshadowed by Liam Delap’s unnecessary red card, with Maresca slamming his two decisive attacks as “embarrassing”.
Maresca said after the match: “A red card like today is embarrassing. Two yellow cards in seven minutes is embarrassing. I think both can be avoided.”
“After the first yellow card, I told him four or five times to calm down. But he’s still a player when he’s on the pitch. Maybe he’s playing the game for himself. And he recognized that and had a hard time listening to everyone else.”
Delap will miss Chelsea’s big game at Tottenham this weekend due to suspension, despite having just returned from treatment after weeks of treatment for a hamstring injury.
Off the pitch, Juve are thought to have contacted Maresca’s entourage on the same day Chelsea beat Wolves.
Enzo Maresca accepts Juventus approach after Chelsea’s clear request
Reports earlier this season suggested Maresca’s long-term future at Chelsea was far from certain, with tensions existing between the Italian and the club’s hierarchy.
In addition to this, journalist Simon Phillips reported that neither Cole Palmer nor Reece James fully endorsed Maresca’s approach, so the situation is worth keeping an eye on if the results remain mixed.
Now, Phillips has provided another update on the 45-year-old’s future.
The reporter shared the news via his Substack that Juve approached Maresca’s camp on Wednesday amid the search for a new manager.
But the tactician’s reaction is clear. I have no intention of leaving midway through the campaign.
A move to Turin at the end of the season cannot be ruled out, but Chelsea are likely to demand a huge compensation fee – which could reach up to £10 million.
“Enzo Maresca was at the top of Juventus’ list of new manager candidates, but they knew he would not be available midway through the season,” Phillips wrote.
“This has not stopped them from contacting the people of Maresca in recent days. However, word from Maresca is that they do not intend to change the current situation at this time.”
“Our sources further understand that negotiations are focused on a transfer for Maresca in the summer at the end of this season. Juventus want to bring Maresca in at the end of the season and are trying to see if that is possible.”
“According to our friendly sources at The Blues Feed, Juventus were in contact with Maresca’s entourage until yesterday (Wednesday), and those sources further say that Chelsea will demand compensation of between £8 million and £10 million if they release Maresca from his contract.”
“For that to happen, Maresca would have to go to them and tell them he wants to go. At the moment, the goal and plan on Maresca’s side and on Chelsea’s part is to at least see this season out and then both parties reassess at the end of the season.”
Chelsea are preparing for important games from now until the end of November against Spurs, Arsenal and, in the Champions League, La Liga champions Barcelona.
The Blues could look to add Maresca in January, given their very weak defense and lack of options, especially at centre-back.
Chelsea will hold talks with the Premier League centre-back over a reduced transfer fee in January.