Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Thomas Tuchel has been in touch with one of his members of staff about joining his England backroom team.
The ex-Blues boss was announced as the new Three Lions manager earlier this week, penning an 18-month contract to succeed Gareth Southgate after he left the position after the Euros over the summer.
Tuchel is now looking to build his team at Wembley Stadium, with Anthony Barry joining him as his assistant manager. The pair worked together at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Reports have speculated that the German boss will look to poach some of his staff from Stamford Bridge, and Maresca has now confirmed that Tuchel has been in touch with one individual about a move away from the club.
He said: “I know that one of them has been approached, one of the analysts. We are quite open for people to take their chances.
“The other one, Hilario, I heard something but there has not been an approach yet. We are open-minded to allow people to take chances and also we are happy to keep people.”
Although not confirmed by Maresca himself, James Melbourne has been largely cited as the member of staff who has been approached by England. He is currently the head of performance analysis for the Blues, though a move to the Three Lions is firmly on the cards.
Hilario – who made 20 appearances in eight years as a Chelsea player – has also been linked with England though it is uncertain whether they would be willing to offer him a full-time position as part of their backroom staff at this stage.
Despite the risk of some of his staff leaving to reunite with their former manager, Maresca sent his best wishes to Tuchel in his new role. He said: “All the best to Thomas. Nothing more. If people in charge decide for him it’s because they are convinced.”
The Chelsea manager went on to speak about how he is working with a full squad ahead of their trip to Liverpool this weekend. Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella are both ruled out but Maresca does not have any injury-forced absentees, with captain Reece James available for the first time this season.
