Chelsea are expected to play football in a different style this season to the one which was utilised by Mauricio Pochettino last season.
It is expected that possession is likely to be big to what they are doing at Stamford Bridge next season under Enzo Maresca.
It has already been reported that the new boss has a plan in place to get the best out of Enzo Fernandez, who many will believe he can still reach higher levels then he has since moving to West London.
He is almost certainly going to feature in the middle of the park alongside Moises Caicedo, who has continued to improve every week since he made his club-record move last summer.
This could make it difficult to see an immediate role for Conor Gallagher, who started near enough every game for the Blues last season.
Agbonlahor doesn’t see Conor Gallagher suiting Maresca
Pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has told TalkSPORT that he believes he won’t fit in the system Maresca could well bring to his new club.
He said: “The way Maresca plays, I don’t think Gallagher would suit his style of play. He likes to be on the ball, Maresca, and play out from the back. If there is one club that suits Conor Gallagher, then it’s Atletico Madrid.”
The England international was clearly important to Pochettino last season, with him describing him as ‘priceless’.
Chelsea have also strengthened their midfield ranks this summer with the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The former Leicester City man had his best individual campaign under Maresca last season, and emerged on the transfer targets of the Blues after they hired the Italian.
There are also a string of younger players who were not able to feature last season much at all for various reasons. Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos will be pushing for an opportunity after injuries and loans stopped them playing in 2023/24.
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