“Hopefully it can be like this” - Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca opens up on the Blues transfer target ahead of the January window

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has opened up on his ambition to further strengthen his squad with new additions in the January transfer window. The Italian claimed that the club's transfer strategy will be to try and do 'less things' but be 'more specific'.

The Blues had a chaotic summer transfer window, adding a whopping 11 players to their squad who are reportedly worth a combined €238.5 million. They also parted ways with 11 players permanently, recovering €198 million in transfer fees.

Since Todd Boehly's take-over of the club in June 2022, Chelsea have spent well over €1 billion in the transfer market. Their squad is one of the largest in Europe, with nearly 40 first-team players (registered and un-registered) at the moment.

Despite the constant shake-up, Maresca has claimed that his squad is still far worse than the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. He said (via GOAL):

"I think we are a very good squad but there are clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal that are ahead of us, no doubt. Hopefully (if) we progress and (keep) improving, we can slowly, slowly be close to them."

"But I think it is quite clear that at this moment Arsenal and Manchester City are ahead of the rest... The target after the last summer (window) is to try to do less things but more specific. This is the target for January and next summer. Hopefully, it can be like this," Maresca added.

Maresca's Chelsea have had a topsy-turvy start to the 2024-25 season. They currently sit eighth in the Premier League table on seven points (two wins, one draw, one loss).

"We have two players for each position" - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca downplays criticism of oversized squad

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has downplayed the criticism of his oversized squad, claiming that they need the depth in the attacking positions.

Despite having some stellar offensive talent, the Blues added Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix to their attacking stocks in the summer. Explaining the thought-process behind the transfer strategy in a press conference before his side's clash against West Ham United, the Italian said (via GOAL):

"As left-wingers, we have Jadon and Misha [Mudryk]. As right-wingers, we have Noni (Madueke) and Pedro. As attacking midfielders, we have Joao Felix and Cole (Palmer). As a No9, we have Nicolas (Jackson), Christo (Nkunku) and Marc (Guiu). We do not have so many players, we have two players for each position."

"The squad is quite clear in terms of positions. All of them have their position and we have two players in each position. But because they are versatile, good and can play in different positions, for sure we can move them," Maresca added.

Chelsea are set to take on West Ham United in their next Premier League fixture at the London Stadium on September 21.