Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has received a boost ahead of their clash with Leicester (Image: Getty)
Chelsea will have one eye on the transfer market as they return from the international break as Enzo Maresca’s side look to build on their encouraging start.
Maresca’s men are currently third in the table and will be up against his former club Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues have a gross expenditure of around £1.3billion on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover and splashed out over £200m in the summer on new signings. Yet rumours continue to swirl that Maresca may enter the market for a big-name striker such as Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres as they look to capitalise on their strong start to the campaign.
Despite spending a large amount of money, some more activity could still occur when the January transfer window opens.
Blues ‘table bid’ for £17m bargain
Chelsea have revived their interest in Rayan Cherki after reportedly offering £17million to sign the Lyon winger but face a transfer battle with Liverpool. The 21-year-old emerged as a target for the Blues when they missed out on Michael Olise, but weren’t willing to meet the Ligue 1 club’s £40m asking price.
But the French club are facing huge debts over £418m (€500m) and need to raise funds urgently through player sales, with Cherki one of the most coveted stars in their squad.
Tutto Juve report the west London club have ‘tabled a bid’ for Cherki in the region of £17m, along with Liverpool, to swoop for the France Under-21 international in January.
Both Premier League clubs are keen on snapping up the highly-rated youngster for a bargain fee after scoring two goals and assisting three in 11 appearances this season. However, they may face competition from Juventus, who are also interested.
Lyon may be forced to sell Rayan Cherki, who is a reported target for Chelsea and Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Maresca boosted by Sancho return
Jadon Sancho has finally returned to Chelsea training after spending several weeks on the sidelines.
The winger, on loan from Manchester United, hasn’t featured for the west London outfit since he was substituted at half-time during the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on October 20.
The 24-year-old made a fast start to life at Stamford Bridge with four assists in three games. But he dropped to the bench after struggling for form and has lost his place to the in-form Pedro Neto.
Sancho had been struck down by a reported illness which kept him out of action for three weeks. However, he reported for training with the Chelsea first-team on Monday and gave a thumbs up to the cameras at their Cobham training base.
Jadon Sancho is back in Chelsea training after three weeks out (Image: Getty)
Out-of-favour star proves point
Chelsea star Joao Felix proved a point to head coach Enzo Maresca after scoring while on international duty with Portugal.
The £42million summer signing is yet to make a Premier League start since arriving for his second spell at Stamford Bridge, despite scoring as a substitute in the 6-2 win over Wolves and bagging four goals in three UEFA Conference League appearances.
Felix was handed a start by Roberto Martinez in their Nations League clash against Croatia and Felix wasted no time in making an impression by getting on the scoresheet.
With 33 minutes gone, midfielder Vitinha played an incredible 50-yard pass that landed on the Chelsea forward’s foot and, with two touches, he cushioned the ball before slotting it underneath Dominik Livakovic to give Portugal the lead. But the Selecao were pegged back when Josko Gvardiol equalised for Croatia in the second half and it finished 1-1 in Zagreb.
Joao Felix put Portugal in front in their 1-1 draw with Croatia (Image: Getty)
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1977721/Chelsea-transfer-bid-Cherki-Enzo-Maresca-fitness-boost