Chelsea latest: Enzo Maresca sticks to his word as Blues swoop for ex-Liverpool figure

Chelsea are full of confidence as they look to extend their three-match winning streak this week. Enzo Maresca's squad relished a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, setting them up for their Champions League clash with Ajax on Wednesday.

The Blues managed to maintain momentum from their win against Liverpool prior to the international break. Young striker Marc Guiu has made appearances in the club's last two matches following a reported discussion with Maresca after being called back from his season-long loan at Sunderland. In recent years, Chelsea have been concentrating on signing promising young talents and are reportedly eager to add another member to their recruitment team. Meanwhile, Chelsea legend Cesar Azpilicueta has been reminiscing about his unforgettable tenure at the club. The Spanish defender may have aided the Blues in winning numerous major titles, but he has remembered a time when he felt his position in the team was most at risk.

Enzo Maresca fulfils promise to Marc Guiu

After being called back to the club due to an injury to Liam Delap, Guiu is said to have approached Maresca to discuss how he could secure his place in the team. The 19-year-old hadn't played for Chelsea before his brief appearance against Liverpool ahead of the international break.

The Athletic reports that their conversation prior to the Liverpool victory was cordial and the Chelsea manager outlined that if the striker maintained his dedication during training sessions, he would earn playing time. Maresca seemed to heed Guiu's comments, as he utilised him against Liverpool the following day and introduced him as a half-time replacement against Forest on Saturday.

"Guiu was good [against Forest]," Maresca told The Athletic. "I think he was on for 15 minutes against Liverpool, fighting with [Virgil] van Dijk, [Ibrahima] Konate, [Ryan] Gravenberch, and he was very good. Today, after one minute of the second half, he won a corner against Morato. So we need that from Marc."

Chelsea in discussions with former Liverpool recruitment chief

The Standard has reported that Chelsea are in discussions with Liverpool's ex-director of scouting and recruitment David Fallows. It is explained that Fallows would assume a senior leadership position, assisting with scouting, while also offering guidance on broader football operations.

It is suggested that he would report directly to co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, alongside working closely with recruitment and talent co-directors Sam Jewell and Joe Shields.

Fallows previously worked 12 years at Liverpool before departing the club in October 2024. A Liverpool club statement described his contributions as "fundamental" to constructing the squad that achieved success under Jurgen Klopp.

Cesar Azpilicueta makes Chelsea admission

Former Chelsea stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta starred for the Blues for more than decade. However, the defender has recalled his fears of losing his place in the team after Chelsea signed Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid in 2014.

"Then Filipe Luis joined Chelsea, which was a... maybe the best left back at the moment," Azpilicueta revealed to Flashscore. "That gave me competition, that gave me a way of helping the team and bring something different and I had to step up and, yeah, I played a lot and I really enjoyed it. I played alongside John Terry on the left side, which was for me like a masterpiece of learning how to defend."

Despite initial concerns, Azpilicueta quickly established himself as a key player, outlasting his Brazilian rival, who returned to Atletico just a year later after making only 26 appearances for Jose Mourinho's squad.