Chelsea star returns to London amid transfer chaos

Enzo Maresca will take charge of Chelsea in a competitive match for the first time when they face Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

The Italian – who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the Citizens’ treble-winning campaign two years ago – guided Leicester City to the Championship title last term, before succeeding Mauricio Pochettino as the Blues’ head coach.

He has endured a tough pre-season, though, with his side winning just one of their six friendlies this summer.

City will undoubtedly provide a stern test for the Blues at Stamford Bridge, but Maresca has been boosted by a number of new signings over the past few weeks.

Now, though, one player that looked certain to leave the club is on his way back to London.

According to Fabrizio Romano, midfielder Conor Gallagher has been told by his club to return to the capital, despite being on the verge of a move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Gallagher’s future remains in serious doubt after his proposed move to Atletico Madrid stalled

The Italian journalist claims that the England international is currently on his way back to England, with his proposed move to the Spanish capital having stalled.

Gallagher has been a regular for the Blues over the past two seasons, playing more than 90 times in total, but he has been made available for sale by those in charge of the club and did look to be on his way to Atletico.

It is claimed that a total agreement is in place between the Spanish side and the player, who has already completed a medical, but the La Liga giants haven’t yet finalised the move.

Gallagher is currently in the final year of his Chelsea contract, but he will face an extremely uncertain future if the proposed move does fall apart due to Maresca’s preferred style of play, and Gallagher’s apparent lack of suitability.