This Thursday, January 1, 2026 World football was surprised with the news that Chelsea dismissed Enzo Maresca from his duties.coach who won the Conference League and the Club World Cup. The strategist wanted several Ecuadorian players to sign for Chelsea, but the club did not comply and that would have also angered the strategist.
One of the signings that Enzo Maresca most requested for Chelsea at the beginning of the season was Piero Hincapié. However, the ‘Blues’ did not even make the effort to compete against Arsenal to keep the Ecuadorian defender who was leaving Bayer Leverkusen.
Although Chelsea had won two tournaments, their defense was shown to be very “weak” and they needed new players to compete. Piero Hincapié sounded on several occasions for the ‘Blues’ to arrive, but all because it was pressure from the coach.
Another Ecuadorian player who was rumored to sign for Chelsea in recent weeks was Joel Ordóñez. The central defender could move this January, and the ‘Blues’ did not even compete for him, to the point that now Liverpool is the top candidate to keep him.
Piero Hincapié arrived at Arsenal and not at Chelsea. (Photo: GettyImages)
One of the main reasons for Enzo Maresca to leave Chelsea is that the coach had several “disagreements” with the club’s board, for different reasons, but above all due to the lack of high-ranking signings that would allow him to compete this season.
What would be the future of Moisés Caicedo and Kendry Páez?
In the case of Moisés Caicedo:
Moisés Caicedo has a long contract with Chelsea until 2031. Although his best performance was seen with Enzo Maresca, the Ecuadorian has a permanent position in the ‘Blues’ for the following years and this change should not affect his status at the club.
In the case of Kendry Páez:
Kendry Páez has it more complicated. Because the young Ecuadorian player is on loan at Racing de Strasbourg, where his coach “exposed” him for his game. And now it is precisely Liam Rosenior, the coach who is rumored to be joining Chelsea, after the departure of Maresca.
SurveyWhich Ecuadorian player would you have liked to see in Chelsea?
Which Ecuadorian player would you have liked to see in Chelsea?
In summary:
- He Chelsea fired the coach Enzo Maresca this Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Moisés Caicedo maintains a current contract with the English team until the year 2031.
- The defender Piero Hincapié signed for him Arsenal after leaving Bayer Leverkusen.
