Maresca rejects defender and winger amid star Chelsea signing twist

A seemingly increasingly desperate Chelsea recruitment department have reportedly offered one of their notable wingers and a well-liked defender as deal-makers in order to complete the signing of an ace. Will Blues centreback Trevoh Chalobah along with teammate and attacker Noni Madueke make way for the addition of Michael Olise from Crystal Palace?

As well as looking at that story and the potential squad realignment, PoL also comment after a claim was made that Aston Villa strike Jhon Duran desires a move to west London. But have Chels' actually made a decision on which centreforward (or forwards) they want from their apparent shortlist?

Jhon Duran has Chelsea in his sights yet Blues head may have been turned

If reports are accurate, budding Villan Duran is after a switch to Stamford Bridge. And why wouldn't he? The 20-year-old is far from an established and trusted Premier League-level striker. He's not even first-choice at Villa due to the presence of goal-machine Ollie Watkins.

Clearly Watkins is the senior player for various reasons such as being a more consistently refined goalscorer. Whereas the deputy is only just finding his way. Although, Duran has promise, much promise in fact. The penultimate English top-flight match of the 2023/24 season versus Liverpool appears to be somewhat of a breakout performance from the brace-scoring Colombian.

Transfermarkt rate the chances of Duran joining the Blues at 49 per cent. A rating which has decreased as new rumours emerge. Last week it was said that the Fulham Road side were still considering their options when it comes to reinforcing their front line.

On Monday, Evening Standard echoed that claim. The outlet suggest Chelsea FC - presumably Enzo Maresca, Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the previously mentioned division - are yet to make their minds up regarding a new No.9. There is the case of Nicolas Jackson to be resolved too: is the Senegalese to be the main man, an understudy, or to leave? The middle selection would be my proposal.

Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke sweeteners in prospective Michael Olise deal?

Chalobah had arguably done enough great defending towards the end of the recently expired campaign to convince Blues supporters of his importance to the team. Similarly, there is obviously more explosiveness on the pitch to come from Madueke in his fledgling career.

However, it seems that neither is truly wanted at the club. If Maresca had arrived and gave a fortunate appraisal on the pair - you could definitely bet that they would be staying.

"Chelsea transfer target Michael Olise could be heading for a collision course with Raheem Sterling if he completes a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues are set to go back in for the Crystal Palace winger despite their failed £35m bid 12 months ago, which they believed activated a release clause in his contract.

But the 22-year-old opted to stay at Palace, and duly signed a new deal with the club that runs until 2027.

That contract comes with a new clause, allowing Olise to move to another club if they offer £60m, a fee seemingly out of Chelsea’s reach as they battle to stay within profit and sustainability regulations.

However, Todd Boehly and co will reportedly counter that notion by instead offering Palace both Trevoh Chalobah and Noni Madueke as part of their offer. But what squad number they guarantee the former France under-21 international could also form an important part of any potential deal."