Chelsea will face reigning champions Manchester City on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
New head coach Enzo Maresca will face former colleague Pep Guardiola in his first game in charge of the Blues, having acted as the Spaniard’s assistant at The Etihad during the 2022/23 campaign.
The Italian will be desperate to get a positive result in his first game in charge, but City will undoubtedly provide a stern test.
In the meantime, it appears that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of a highly rated Premier League winger.
As reported by Football Insider, Chelsea are edging closer to a huge deal for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
The Frenchman has been in fine form for the Eagles over the past two seasons, but his impressive displays have attracted interest from elsewhere.
Olise looks likely to leave Crystal Palace this summer
The Blues are one of the clubs chasing Olise, 22, and the report claims that the West London club are firmly in pole position to sign the player this summer.
Olise joined Palace from Football League side Reading in 2021 and has since played 90 times for the club across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists.
The report claims that Chelsea are ready to trigger the Frenchman’s release clause, which is believed to be set at £60 million plus add-ons.
Chelsea came close to signing Olise last summer but were unable to negotiate a move, and the player then signed a new contract with Palace that is set to run until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
Olise is set to represent France at the Olympics in Paris this summer, but he is yet to be capped by his country at senior level.