Chelsea have appointed Leicester boss Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a five-year deal to replace the departed Mauricio Pochettino. The Italian, 44, caught the eye of Chelsea chiefs after leading Leicester to the Championship title last season in his first campaign at the King Power Stadium. Several candidates were linked with the Chelsea job following Pochettino's exit after just one season in charge. Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna and Brentford's Thomas Frank were reportedly in contention before the west London club decided on Maresca. "We are delighted to welcome Enzo to Chelsea," Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea's co-sporting directors, said in a statement on Monday.