How Chelsea could line up under Enzo Maresca as wonderkid promoted and two stars axed

Enzo Maresca is the leading contender to take over as Chelsea manager - so we've taken a look at how the Blues could line up under him.

The Italian guided Leicester to promotion from the Championship as league winners next season, armed with top talent including the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Abdul Fatawu and James Justin.

That was coupled with the experience of Conor Coady, Harry Winks and Jamie Vardy, the latter of whose hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Preston North End secured the league title.

Ahead of their return to the Premier League, though, Leicester are facing a sizeable points deduction after they were found guilty of breaching financial rules during their last spell in the top flight.

And after Chelsea parted company with Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca is now their chief target and could be announced at Stamford Bridge shortly.

We've taken a look at how he could line up - using lineup-builder.co.uk.

Enzo Maresca: Tactical style

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The Italian tends to start with a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on patient build-up play while in possession and attacking positional play out of it.

Those systems would primarily suit Chelsea's current crop of talent, with the side often lining up in either system under the management of Pochettino.

His system also tends to shift into a back three when in attacking areas, while ability on the ball is important.

The system helped Leicester to score 97 points and win the Championship - although there were some concerns raised when the Foxes went on a run of three wins in 10 games between February and April.

Enzo Maresca: Possible Chelsea line-up

In goal, Maresca will likely stick with Djordje Petrovic, who made an impressive start to his Blues career in replacing Robert Sanchez between the sticks.

Providing he is fully fit, Reece James will be Maresca's go-to at right-back, while Marc Cucurella could continue at left-back.

At centre-back, Maresca could make several changes. Thiago Silva has left the club on a free transfer, with Levi Colwill's ability on the ball likely to appeal strongly.

The Blues have previously been linked with Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio - who currently plays in a back three - and he could partner Colwill at centre-back. That, in turn, could mean a reduction in game time for Axel Disasi.

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In midfield, Moises Caicedo will hope to build on a strong end to his first campaign at Stamford Bridge, while Enzo Fernandez will look to bounce back from hernia surgery to play an important role.

They could be joined in central midfield by the fully-fit Romeo Lavia, who Maresca managed while working with Manchester City's academy.

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The Belgian was limited to just one appearance for the Blues this season due to injuries, having joined from Southampton for £55 million last summer.

Captain Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, could be sold, while wonderkid Cesare Casadei will likely be promoted to the first team after impressing under Maresca on loan at Leicester.

In attack, Cole Palmer will lead the charge for Chelsea on the right hand side, with Mykhailo Mudryk continuing on the opposite flank.

The attack could be completed by RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Chelsea are keen on triggering his £65 million release clause - although Nicolas Jackson will push hard to start after an impressive end to the season.