On the very first day of the New Year, an already struggling Chelsea were dealt yet another blow as they announced the departure of manager Enzo Maresca, less than six months after he won the Club World Cup in his debut season. The Italian coach departs with the Blues battling for consistency, having won just two of their last nine games across all competitions.
After a poor December run, the club is now in fifth place in the Premier League, 15 points behind table toppers Arsenal. Although the Blues are now looking for a new head coach, their recruitment team is still scouting for potential new signings. And they have reportedly identified a pair of brilliant prospects for the future.
According to a report from CaughtOffside, Chelsea have a strong interest in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa. Also, they are really keen on Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri.
The Blues have admired Rogers for some time and continue to closely monitor his development. The 23-year-old is in the form of his life for Aston Villa, having scored 7 goals and 5 assists across all competitions this season. He recently scored braces in back-to-back victories over Wolves and Manchester United. On top of that, the Villans still have PSR concerns.
Chelsea considering moves for two players from Premier League top-four rivals
Along with Rogers, Chelsea are keeping an eye on Nwaneri, one of the most promising talents to come out of Arsenal's youth academy in recent years. The 18-year-old can play in centre midfield or on the right wing, but has struggled for first-team football this season.
Chelsea's current recruitment strategy of pursuing exceptional young prospects makes their interest in these individuals understandable. However, executing deals of this magnitude would be difficult amid current circumstances. They would have a higher chance of success in the summer. As the club adjusts to Maresca's unexpected exit, the anticipated double swoop currently appears ambitious, if not optimistic.
The Blues will aim to turn around from their disappointing form in their first match of the year as they take on Manchester City. It goes without saying that that will be a difficult task, especially without a manager in the dugout.