Enzo Maresca told he has to immediately axe £70m Chelsea pair after taking job

Enzo Maresca has been told to get rid of two Chelsea stars that cost the club an eye-watering £70m.

The Italian has been appointed as the club's new manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the helm. He has put pen to paper on a five year deal at Stamford Bridge with the option for a further season.

Maresca doesn’t officially start work until next month but is already putting thought into his squad. A number of names have been linked with moves to West London, while a few current stars could be sold.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has given his verdict and reckons Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi should both be sold. “Thiago Silva is leaving, we need a couple of centre-halves,” Mikel said on The Obi One Podcast. “I don’t think Benoit Badiashile is the guy for Chelsea, no.

“[Axel] Disasi, no. They’re still young players, they will develop. We need proven, two top centre-backs who will come in there and stabilise that back four. We need that. We need two world-class centre-halves.”

Disasi and Badiashile, both French defenders, were signed for a combined £70m fee. The latter joined for £38m from Ligue 1 side Monaco last summer and made 44 appearances across his debut campaign.

His compatriot Badiashile was also recruited from Monaco two seasons ago but has found opportunities limited with just 33 outings since then. Disasi is under contract until 2029, while Badiashile still has six years to run on his deal.

Away from that pair, Chelsea still have Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and youngster Alfie Gilchrist to call upon for centre-back. Regardless, they have still been linked with a number of defenders.

The Blues have attempted to hijack Newcastle ’s move for Fulham star Tosin Adarabioyo. The former Man City man has already confirmed his exit from Craven Cottage.

Writing on social media, he said: “As a new chapter awaits, I’d just like to thank everyone at Fulham Football Club for the last four years. Together with the manager, staff, my teammates and supporters, we made some great memories that I’ll always hold fondly. I wish you all the best in the future.”

Away from defenders, it has also been reported that Chelsea could make a renewed move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. The Blues are also reportedly tracking Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.