Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (left) could take a leaf out of Jose Mourinho's book in the summer (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be desperate to win silverware at Stamford Bridge after being entrusted to oversee one of the most expensive squads ever assembled. And he could repeat a Jose Mourinho transfer trick to turn the Blues into Premier League title winners next season.
Maresca has enjoyed a decent maiden campaign in west London, with Chelsea in the mix to win the Europa Conference League and also qualify for next season’s Champions League. And the Italian will be able to push his team forward in the summer by giving former Blues player Kevin De Bruyne the opportunity to return to Stamford Bridge and play an influential role as a leader. Mourinho did it with Didier Drogba in 2014 and Chelsea won the Premier League title 10 months later.
De Bruyne spent two years at Stamford Bridge after joining the Blues from Genk in January 2012. He failed to establish himself at the club, however, and made just nine first-team appearances before being sold to Wolfsburg.
After impressing in Germany he joined Manchester City, where he became one of the best players in world football. During his time at the Etihad Stadium he has won a host of trophies and can now call himself a Champions League and Club World Cup winner as well as a six-time Premier League champion.
Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave Manchester City this summer after a decade at the Etihad Stadium (Image: GETTY)
De Bruyne has been linked with a return to Chelsea and would prove to be an influential figure in the capital, despite the fact his best years may be behind him.
The Belgian’s big-game experience and leadership credentials would prove invaluable to a Blues squad which is littered with talent.
He would be able to fit into the squad and make an impact on the pitch when called upon while offering wise insights behind the scenes. And Chelsea can take advantage of that experience without the need for a transfer fee.
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When Drogba was brought back to England, he was 36 years old and had spent 18 months playing for Galatasaray in Turkey following a seven-month stint with Shanghai Shenhua in China. But he still managed to make 40 appearances and notch seven goals.
He was mainly used as a substitute as Mourinho opted to back his first-choice striker Diego Costa.
But the Ivorian still possessed his winning mentality, and his all-round contribution was invaluable as Chelsea finished eight points above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after lifting the League Cup trophy a few months earlier.
