Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ‘huge fan’ of £50m Premier League defender with 43 senior caps already aged 22

ENZO MARESCA is reportedly a "huge fan" of Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi.

The Cherries star has impressed since he arrived in the Premier League in 2023.

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Zabarnyi, 22, joined Bournemouth from Dynamo Kiev on an initial five-year contract.

Due to his good form at the Vitality Stadium, he has already been rewarded with a new deal.

He is now tied down on the South Coast until 2029, but Chelsea remain keen.

CaughtOffside have claimed that the Blues could make an offer to sign the Ukranian.

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The report suggests that Bournemouth could be open to a sale if his £50million price-tag is met.

It is further added that Maresca is "a huge fan of the defender’s playing capabilities".

It is also claimed that the manager is ready to "make room for him in an ever-expanding Chelsea squad".

This season Zabarnyi has played in every Premier League fixture for the Cherries.

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He has helped the side to 12th in the league with only 15 goals conceded.

This defensive record is better than the likes of Aston Villa, West Ham and Brentford.

It is only slightly worse than the 13 goals conceded by Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

He has also gained plenty of international experience having earned 43 caps for the Ukraine.

However, Chelsea will have to compete with Spurs in the race for his signature.

It is claimed that the North London side have been"tracking" the defender for some "a while".

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