Enzo Maresca told he could convert ‘creative’ Chelsea wonderkid into a striker but he disagrees

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Enzo Maresca has already tweaked the positions of several players at Chelsea.

Malo Gusto has gone from being a traditional right-back to a central midfielder at times, whereas Enzo Fernandez has been pushed closer to goal in an attacking midfield role.

Lee Carsley – manager of the England U21 side – has now told Enzo Maresca that Tyrique George could become a striker, but the Chelsea boss seems to disagree.

Enzo Maresca seemingly has no plans to take Lee Carsley comments on board

After the Chelsea No.32 scored for the England U21 side against Andorra on Monday night, he was backed to become a “traditional” striker.

Carsley said: “He’s got the profile and attributes to develop into a traditional number nine. A lot of that development I would imagine will go on at Chelsea. He’s fast. He scores goals. He’s creative. He’s got good technique.”

George has only ever played as a striker nine times throughout his career – scoring one goal.

Maresca actually shared comments in September which suggest he does not agree with Carsley, despite using the 19-year-old as a striker in the aftermath of an injury to Liam Delap.

The Italian said: “Ty is helping us as a No.9 knowing that his position is a winger, he is not a No.9, but he is playing there.”

Tyrique George could leave Chelsea soon

The teenager was very close to joining Fulham during the summer transfer window in a £22m deal.

That transfer eventually collapsed, but Chelsea have a decision to make on George – who has impressed fans since his breakthrough.

TBR Football understand George was ready to join Roma back in August, and once the current campaign ends, he will only have 12 months remaining on his contract anyway – representing the last window Chelsea have to receive a good fee from a sale.

Considering the Blues were ready to offload the attacker to Fulham just a matter of weeks ago, it feels like he needs to do something very special at Stamford Bridge to avoid being sold in 2026.