4 Chelsea stars Enzo Maresca could sign for Man City if he replaces Pep Guardiola

Enzo Maresca is in line to replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City boss and could target familiar faces from former employers Chelsea this summer

News of Pep Guardiola's seemingly imminent departure from Manchester City was followed by news that Enzo Maresca looks primed to succeed him. Furthermore, the former Chelsea manager may be able to leverage certain connections at Stamford Bridge to lure specific talents to the Etihad this summer.

The Italian previously spent a year as one of Guardiola's City assistants, having earlier guided City's youth to a league title in 2021. However, the benefits of Maresca's appointment extend beyond that shared history given his ties to other clubs.

Chelsea are one such outfit where certain players may still hold loyalty to their former boss and could be open to a fresh challenge in Manchester. Here, football.london examines which players could realistically be tempted away from west London this summer.

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Levi Colwill

With John Stones set to leave the Etihad after a decade with City, a commanding centre-back is likely to be high on the agenda for City. Maresca could prove instrumental in that regard, given the close bond he forged with Levi Colwill during his 18 months in west London.

Admittedly, City would be swapping one injury-prone defender for another who has endured his fair share of fitness setbacks in recent seasons. That said, Colwill only turned 23 earlier this year and clearly has the potential to become a cornerstone of England's defence when fully fit.

His acquisition would represent a considerable gamble given he missed virtually the entirety of the 2025/26 season through a serious ACL injury. Nevertheless, it is a risk Maresca may be prepared to take given the strong relationship the pair cultivated at Stamford Bridge.

"Not just a top manager but a top person," Colwill wrote on Instagram when his oldboss resigned in January, the words emblazoned across a photo of him and Maresca sharing an embrace on the pitch. "Thank you for everything. It was a pleasure to work with you and create great memories."

Cole Palmer

Simultaneously the most obvious move and arguably the least likely to come to fruition. Having struggled for regular first-team football under Guardiola, Palmer has gone from strength to strength since departing City in 2023 and could now be regarded as the most indispensable component of Chelsea's setup.

Yet that was under Guardiola's stewardship. Palmer, who celebrated his 24th birthday earlier in May, appeared to relish his time working with Maresca and posted impressive figures under the Italian, hinting he could be lured back to his home city should the right offer materialise.

Furthermore, Bernardo Silva's departure from the Etihad this summer leaves a considerable gap in City's midfield. However, persuading Palmer himself to return and fill that void could prove to be the greatest hurdle of all.

"I've got no plans to move club and when I see it I just laugh," he told The Guardian in April. "Obviously Manchester is my home. All my family are there, but I don't miss it. Maybe I'll miss it if I don't go for three months or something. But then when I get home I think there's nothing there for me anyway."

The fact that Chelsea now have a certain Xabi Alonso in charge from next season could also help persuade Palmer that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez

A bitter pill for Chelsea supporters to swallow, yet perhaps not entirely surprising. Enzo Fernandez has been highly regarded at Chelsea since smashing the British transfer record following his move from Benfica in 2023 but has become strongly linked with a departure this summer.

The Argentinian has fuelled this speculation himself, hinting in March his time at Stamford Bridge could be drawing to a close. At that point, Paris Saint-Germain were widely considered his most ardent suitors, though a reunion with Maresca could now place City firmly in pole position.

After all, it was Maresca who appointed Fernandez as his vice-captain shortly after his arrival at Chelsea. With Silva's exit and City continuing to struggle without Rodri in their midfield this season, a versatile midfield addition such as Fernandez would make perfect sense, albeit one likely to command a fee in excess of £100million.

Joao Pedro

A quick look at the Premier League table will confirm City are hardly short of firepower in attack. Nevertheless, pursuing a player of Joao Pedro's calibre still makes considerable sense given their attacking output hasn't quite reached the heights of previous campaigns over the last two seasons.

Not only is Pedro capable of excelling up front, a position from which Erling Haaland remains immovable, but he's also adept at driving forward in other areas of the pitch. Whether deployed out wide or operating off a main striker, the Brazilian makes meaningful gains almost every time he receives the ball, a quality City need to break down opponents during their prolonged periods of build-up.

Jeremy Doku already provides that threat from the left flank, but Pedro is far more adaptable in terms of the number of positions he can occupy. Furthermore, Maresca has already signed the player, having been the man at the helm when Chelsea prised him away from Brighton for £55m last year.

Securing his signature could prove to be one of the most challenging deals to complete given he is contracted until 2033 and remains one of Chelsea's most prized assets. However, if any Premier League rival has the financial muscle to make a move for the 24-year-old a reality, it's City.

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