Two Chelsea stars with long-term injuries ready to join first-team training next week - Reports
Chelsea duo Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana are reportedly set to resume first-team training from the first day of pre-season after lengthy spells out. The Blues are set to enter into a new era following numerous changes that have taken place since the end of the 2023-24 season.
The Blues parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season after finishing sixth in the Premier League and as runners-up in the Carabao Cup. The Argentine manager didn't get to enjoy the full complement of players signed by the club due to injuries.
Enzo Maresca will lead Chelsea from the start of pre-season on July 8 and he will have all of the available players at his disposal. Two key names that will be in the squad next week are Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana, both of whom hardly featured last season, as per journalist Kieran Gill.
Lavia, a £58 million signing from Southampton, played 32 minutes of football for the side in his debut season due to a number of injury problems. Fofana, on the other hand, didn't feature at all, having ruptured his ACL at the very start of pre-season camping under Pochettino last summer.
Both Lavia and Fofana are back to full fitness and will be keen to impress their new manager once pre-season commences next week, as per Kieran Gill. The pair will feature from the start of pre-season. The remainder of the squad, who are not involved in the Euros, Copa America, or Olympics, are also expected on Monday.
Maresca has resumed work at Chelsea's Cobham base ahead of the start of pre-season as his tenure as head coach has commenced. The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ben Chilwell have all begun training early, as per reports.
Chelsea linked with move for teenage Brazilian star - Reports
Chelsea have been linked with a move for talented Brazilian youngster Wesley Gassova, who is shining at Brasileirao Serie A side Corinthians. The Blues are interested in signing a right-footed winger, and Wesley has emerged as a target, as per Foot Mercato.
Enzo Maresca's side have conducted a lot of their transfer business early this window, signing Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Omari Kellyman. They are still keen on a right-footed winger and have also been linked with Spaniard Nico Williams.
Chelsea are not alone in their interest in the 19-year-old Wesley, with West Ham United also keen. Corinthians value the teenager at around £26 million, and he has scored twice in 13 appearances for them this season.
The Blues have carried out extensive transfer dealings out of Brazil in the last 12 months and now boast a strong contingent. The likes of Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel, and Deivid Washington are on the club's books, with Estevao Willian to join them next summer.