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Enzo Maresca raised concern he knew Chelsea wouldn’t address in January transfer window

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More stories continue to come out about Enzo Maresca and Chelsea’s relationship following the 45-year-old’s exit last week.

Maresca and Chelsea decided to part ways on New Year’s Day in a development that surprised many.

While cracks in their relationship were starting to show, most were expecting Maresca to leave the club at the end of the season.

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Enzo Maresca managing Chelsea against Man United
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However, it became impossible for both parties to continue working together and the Italian eventually left. Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior is now set to succeed Maresca in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Enzo Maresca greeting Liam Rosenior
Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Enzo Maresca raised concern he knew Chelsea wouldn’t address in January transfer window

Transfers appear to be one thing that caused friction between Maresca and his bosses at Chelsea.

According to TEAMtalk, Maresca raised concerns about depth in central defence, with Levi Colwill currently sidelined because of an ACL injury.

However, the same outlet claims that the former Leicester City manager was pessimistic about the club doing anything about it in January.

SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?

Your potential shortlist could include:

Todd Boehly and Paul Winstanley during Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

If Rosenior mentions the same thing, perhaps Chelsea will act. But senior figures at the club will point out that Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato can both play at centre-back.

Hato did well against Manchester City last weekend, though he was playing at left-back, while Acheampong can also be satisfied with his performance. Both teenagers were often overlooked by Maresca during his time in west London.

Enzo Maresca arrives ahead of Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

When Chelsea could move for a new centre-back

While Chelsea may not be as concerned with their centre-back situation as Maresca was, there does seem to be some acknowledgement that they could do with another player in that position at some point.

At the end of last month, it was claimed that Chelsea do want to sign a central defender but not until the summer.

It means Rosenior will have to make do with what he has got. If Wesley Fofana can stay fit, it is certainly not a bad batch of centre-halves that Chelsea have.