Enzo Maresca can add a bit of razzmatazz to the Chelsea squad with a signing nobody will see coming.
The Blues have blown hot and cold under the Italian this season, with their pursuit of Champions League football having been dealt yet another setback in Saturday’s defeat against Aston Villa.
They remain in a strong position to bring Champions League back to Stamford Bridge but attention has already turned to how Maresca can turn the Blues into potential title challengers next season.
Introducing six-time Premier League winner and ex-Chelsea ace Kevin de Bruyne.
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The Manchester City star is currently out of contract at the end of the season and Pep Guardiola admitted earlier this week he was left out of the starting XI for the second leg against Real Madrid for “tactical reasons” on Wednesday.
On his absence, the Catalan said: “Decisions. My decision. Yeah, of course, he played against Madrid at home, of course he can play…
“The relationship with Kevin De Bruyne is exceptional. I can’t be thankful enough for what he’s done for me, the team, everyone. It’s just a decision.”
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He added: “But maybe for the demands, the way we now need to play because of the absences or strengths that we have and physicality and many things, we need a game of more control and not up and down. Don’t tell me why. It’s not personal, I decide the decisions, that’s all, no more than that.”
What if Chelsea were able to nab him on a free transfer?
Letting De Bruyne leave for Wolfsburg in 2014 remains one of the west Londoners’ biggest transfer mishaps, with the Belgian going on to establish himself as one of football’s greatest-ever midfielders.
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Granted, his powers have waned with age - he’s started just 11 Premier League matches this term - but class is permanent and De Bruyne has that in abundance.
More importantly though, it’s the experience he’ll bring to the Chelsea dressing room that should persuade the Blues’ hierarchy the most.
They’d have to compete with the mega-riches of the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, as clubs in both leagues are said to have shown an interest in the playmaker.
But if De Bruyne fancies one last dance in the Premier League, where better to do it than the place he made his name in English football?