Chelsea have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a five-year contract, with an official announcement pending. The Italian recently led Leicester City back to the Premier League by winning the Championship in his first season in charge.
As football.london reported earlier this week, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, flew to Spain to meet with Maresca after identifying him as the top candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who left the club by mutual consent last week after leading Chelsea to a sixth-place finish.
Initial contact with Maresca gauged his interest in the role, and Chelsea received permission from Leicester to proceed with discussions. Stewart and Winstanley then pushed forward to secure Maresca, making him the third permanent head coach under their tenure in the past 15 months.
Here’s a look at some Leicester players likely to depart from June onwards:
Wilfred Ndidi:
Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi, 27, is approaching the end of his contract. The midfielder joined Leicester in 2017 and signed a six-year extension in 2018. His contract situation has attracted interest from clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Brentford, Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Lyon, and Monaco. With several top clubs vying for his signature, Ndidi is expected to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Dennis Praet:
Midfielder Dennis Praet, 29, is another player nearing the end of his deal. He signed a five-year contract in August 2019, set to expire this summer. After spending time with Torino during the 2021/2022 season, Praet, with close to a century of appearances for Leicester, is likely to part ways with the club after the season concludes.
Marc Albrighton:
Experienced winger Marc Albrighton, entering his 10th season with Leicester, may see his contract expire soon. Since arriving in 2014, Albrighton has played a crucial role, contributing to the club’s Premier League title win in the 2015/16 season. However, after an unsuccessful loan spell with West Bromwich Albion last season, the 32-year-old’s time at Leicester may be coming to an end.
Jamie Vardy:
Jamie Vardy, one of Leicester’s most iconic players, is the longest-serving player at the club. The 37-year-old striker, known for his incredible contributions, played a pivotal role in Leicester’s historic Premier League title win in the 2015/16 season. Despite achieving personal honors, including the Premier League Golden Boot, Vardy’s goalscoring regularity has dwindled with age. As the remainder of his contract ticks down, the legendary forward is expected to bid farewell to Leicester.
As Leicester City aims for a successful Championship campaign, these potential departures signify a transitional phase for the club, with key players likely to leave in the upcoming transfer window. The challenge for the Foxes will be to rebuild and secure a prompt return to the Premier League under Enzo Maresca’s guidance.