Chelsea set to add seven new players to Enzo Maresca’s squad in huge top four boost

Chelsea is on the brink of a major resurgence as manager Enzo Maresca prepares to welcome back seven key players, significantly bolstering the squad’s prospects of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Southampton and a week of rest before returning to Conference League action, Chelsea is entering a critical phase of the season. A home match against struggling Leicester City is next, paving the way for an intense showdown with Arsenal before the international break. The stakes are high, with Chelsea looking to narrow the gap on Arsenal and establish a stronghold in the top four race.

Maresca has navigated a difficult period without several first-team regulars, including Nicolas Jackson, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu. However, a turning point is imminent. The manager recently revealed that most—if not all—of these players could return right after the international break, offering a much-needed boost at a pivotal time.

Jackson’s absence has been particularly costly, as Chelsea has struggled without a natural striker leading the line. His return is set to reinvigorate both the squad and his attacking partner, Cole Palmer, who has missed his presence up front. Meanwhile, Fofana’s anticipated comeback will add much-needed strength to the defense, where his pace and aerial dominance have been sorely missed. Similarly, Badiashile is expected to provide rotational depth, particularly in European fixtures.

The midfield duo of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández has carried an immense workload in Lavia’s absence, and his return will allow for better balance in the center of the park. Further up the pitch, Madueke’s reintroduction will restore Chelsea’s attacking depth, offering an alternative to Jadon Sancho on the right wing.

With the Conference League knockout rounds approaching and the Premier League table still tightly contested, Chelsea is gearing up for a defining period. If Maresca successfully navigates the next few fixtures, he will find himself armed with a fully reinforced squad, ready to fight for Champions League qualification. The Blues’ resurgence is well and truly underway—now, it’s up to them to seize the moment.