Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has said that the Blues need a new center back ahead of the coming season. Softfootball watched as Maresca’s team played their first game since the victorious outing in the United States that saw them win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Blues edged Bayern Leverkusen 2-0 in their first preseason game of the season after enjoying extended holidays. New boy, Estevao opened the scoring for the Stamford Bridge team in the 19th minute.
Estevao was making his debut after joining Chelsea from Brazilian side, Palmeiras for around £29m. The Brazilian was not the only debutant on the night as Hato and Gittens also made their first appearances as Blues.
Estevao’s goal was carried into break and after the break another new signing, Joao Pedro got from Brighton for £60m sealed the win in the 90th minute.
After the game while giving his post match thoughts, Enzo Maresca declared that Chelsea needed a new centre back. This comes days after the teams had just signed 19 year old Jorrel Hato for £40m.
Hato is a former Ajax player who shined with the Ajax team last season in the Eredivise. Chelsea are meanwhile letting go Alex Disasi, who could have fit as a center back.
Transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano posted Maresca’s comment about a new defender on his verified X handle.
He wrote:
Enzo Maresca: “It’s a priority for me to get a new centre back. We will see if we go for it”.
Chelsea started the game against Bayern Leverkusen with Acheampomg and Chalobah in the heart of defense and finished the game with Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorrel Hato.
With 4 center backs available to Maresca, it is interesting to see if the club will get one more defender before the season ends.
The club has spent on attack bringing a numbers of strikers to aid scoring goals for the team. Joao Pedro so far has proven to be a good buy.
