Enzo Maresca returns to Chelsea to poach key player for Man City

Enzo Maresca is ready to raid Chelsea and poach one of their best players as his first signing as Manchester City manager.

After a highly-successful decade that saw him lead the club to 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, Pep Guardiola has left Manchester City.

Given his massive success at the club, replacing Guardiola as manager at City seems like it will be an insurmountable task, regardless of who steps up to take the job.

As it stands, City are yet to confirm who will take the job as City manager, although it's widely believed that former Chelsea boss Maresca will soon be revealed as Guardiola's successor.

With club legends like Bernardo Silva and John Stones also leaving the club and several other key players linked with transfers, there's no doubt that upon his arrival Maresca will have the chance to spend big and bring a wave of new talent to City.

And it appears that there's one of his former Chelsea players in particular that he's desperate to sign with a report from Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto claiming he is interested in signing defender Marc Cucurella.

The Spain international has been a key player for the Blues since his arrival in August 2022 and made 79 appearances under Maresca during his 18 month spell as Chelsea boss.

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And after Maresca's heated departure from the London club on New Year's Day, the left-back had nothing but good things to say about his former manager.

"With Enzo Maresca in charge, we were more stable, because we worked together for 18 months. If you look at our first pre-season with him there were doubts," Cucurella told The Athletic in March.

"You need a process for every player to understand what we need to do. In our last months with Maresca, we played almost by heart. If we changed the system, we knew what we had to do. You need that time.

"We knew what Maresca wanted from us. Winning a title like the Club World Cup also helps, strengthens the bond, and you create great relationships during the celebrations.

"When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you'd die for him.

"The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision."

However, with City already boasting impressive options at left-back in Nico O'Reilly, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Josko Gvardiol, a move that would likely cost over £50million for Cucurella would certainly raise some eyebrows.

And with both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona also believed to be interested in signing the Spaniard, City could face some stiff competition for his signature should they make an official move.

Enzo Maresca prepares to raid Chelsea for key players

But Cucurella isn't the only Chelsea player that Maresca is reportedly eager to sign during his first transfer window as City boss.

According to reports, midfielder Enzo Fernandez is also one of City's "desired transfer targets" and is "strongly wanted" by his former manager.

It's claimed that talks have already taken place and that the pair share a "a top and very trusting relationship" after winning the Club World Cup and Conference League together.

The Argentina international, who joined Chelsea for a then-club-record £105 million in 2023, has scored 15 goals and registered seven assists in 53 appearances for the Blues in the 2025/26 campaign.