Maresca only focused on Villa amid Semenyo transfer links to Chelsea

Enzo Maresca insisted he was fully focused on Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa amid rumours linking the Blues to a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

Semenyo has had a fine start to the 2025-26 season for the Cherries, with his eight goals a total only bettered by Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (19) in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has since been touted for a move away from the Vitality Stadium in January, with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool also reportedly interested in him.

He has a £65m release clause that can be triggered next month, though it has been rumoured that both Manchester United and Chelsea have opted out of a potential transfer.

“I’m focused on Aston Villa. Not on players who can arrive and leave,” Maresca told reporters when asked about the links to Semenyo. “I’m in love with the squad we have.”

Another player that Maresca was asked about during his pre-match press conference was Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who starred in their win over the Red Devils on Sunday.

Rogers has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other English player across the opening 17 matchdays this season (10 – seven goals, three assists).

He could become just the third Villa player to net 2+ goals in three consecutive appearances in the competition, after Dean Saunders (1992) and Dion Dublin (1998).

“No. Because I love Cole and Cole is my player,” Maresca said when questioned whether he would swap Cole Palmer for the in-form Villa midfielder.

2 – Morgan Rogers is the first Aston Villa player to score 2+ goals in back-to-back Premier League appearances since Dion Dublin in November 1998 (3 in a row). Cold. pic.twitter.com/nFhLeaLwao

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2025

Chelsea have lost two of their last three Premier League home games against Villa, though they did win this exact fixture 3-0 in December last season.

Just one place and five points separate the two teams in the table, with Chelsea knowing a victory would boost their top four hopes with the chasing pack closing in.

And key to a potential victory could be captain Reece James, whose stunning free-kick helped the Blues come from two goals down to 2-2 at Newcastle United last weekend.

Indeed, James now has two league goals this season, as many as he netted in 2022-23 (one), 2023-24 (0) and 2024-25 (one) combined.

But, more importantly, the England international is playing regularly. He has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season, a total only six Chelsea players can beat.

“He is growing in terms of leadership, and he is playing more and more minutes,” Maresca said.

“This is the reason why we are happy because he can be fit and healthy. We know he can be here as a leader.

“He is one of the main players for different reasons. He’s from our house. Academy player. He is the captain.

“When he is fit, he is one of the best players we have, no doubt. For me, he is one of our main players.”

Maresca also confirmed that injured duo Estevao and Liam Delap would be in the squad ahead of their clash at Stamford Bridge, having missed the last couple of games.