In what’s turning into a full-circle masterplan, Chelsea have now signed four high-profile names linked to Manchester City, completing a £140M investment to reunite the very core of Enzo Maresca’s dominant Man City U23 squad from 2021.
Here’s the full breakdown of this stunning recruitment wave:
🔹 ✅ Cole Palmer (Age 23) – £42.5M
An absolute revelation last season for Chelsea, Palmer was once nurtured under Maresca at City’s academy and has become one of the most electric attackers in the Premier League. He’s the poster boy for what could become an era-defining rebuild at the Bridge.
🔹 ✅ Romeo Lavia (Age 21) – £58M
Signed from Southampton, Lavia has endured injury setbacks but remains a midfield general in the making. Maresca knows exactly how to unleash his potential, having overseen his development at City.
🔹 ✅ Enzo Maresca (Manager) – £10M
Chelsea paid Leicester City compensation to land their new manager — and he’s no stranger to Stamford Bridge ambitions. His tactical philosophy, honed under Pep Guardiola and tested in the Championship, is all about structured possession, fluid attacking play, and developing young stars.
🔹 ✅ Liam Delap (Age 22) – £30M
A striker with raw power and clinical instincts, Delap lit up the youth scene under Maresca and is now ready to take the Premier League by storm. His arrival signals Chelsea’s trust in homegrown firepower.
🧠 The Maresca Connection:
All four figures thrived under Maresca’s guidance during Man City’s Premier League 2 triumph in 2021, where Palmer dazzled, Lavia controlled the tempo, and Delap led the line with ruthless efficiency. Now, Chelsea are effectively rebuilding that title-winning unit, this time on the biggest stage.
💭 Did City slip up?
Letting so many talents — and a tactically sharp coach — slip away may come back to haunt the Cityzens. Chelsea, meanwhile, are building a clear identity rooted in youth, cohesion, and familiar leadership.
The question is no longer if they’ll click. It’s when. And the rest of the league should be w
atching closely. 👀💥
