Chelsea could look to sign another midfielder in the new year, with Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo thought to be on their list.
The Blues currently have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo on their books.
However, Lavia and Essugo are out injured, something that Chelsea have had to get used to with the former.
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Chelsea were first linked with Mainoo in January, and it now looks like they could make a serious move for him.
Kobbie Mainoo during Manchester United vs Sunderland
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo open to joining Chelsea
Lavia’s injury problems are becoming a real concern for Chelsea now, it seems. As a result, the Club World Cup winners could turn to Mainoo and may have a chance of landing the 20-year-old.
Journalist Simons Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that amid their worries regarding Lavia, Chelsea are “likely” to make an enquiry about Mainoo’s availability going into the January transfer window.
According to Phillips, the player is “more than open” to moving to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea held talks with both his agents and United during the summer about a transfer then.
Nothing materialised, but amid concerns surrounding Lavia’s long-term fitness, the Conference League holders may try harder to sign Mainoo this time around.
He is not a regular under Ruben Amorim right now, failing to make a single start in the Premier League this season.
In the last transfer window, Chelsea fans wanted the club to sign Mainoo, so the England international joining the Blues would likely go down well at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo duelling for the ball
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Kobbie Mainoo could be a very smart signing for Chelsea
If Chelsea really are starting to give up on Lavia, signing Mainoo makes a lot of sense.
Again, Mainoo is a fringe player at United and has a contract that expires in 2027. He may not cost too much money.
Despite not being an important member of Amorim’s squad, Mainoo clearly does have a lot of quality. He is good on the ball, with some of his stats reflecting that.
For example, Mainoo completes 1.10 successful take-ons, takes 2.85 touches in the attacking penalty area and receives 3.49 progressive passes per 90. It puts him in the 88th, 91st and 83rd percentile for those categories, as per FBref.
In an ideal world, Lavia would just stay fit. But if the Belgian continues to fail at that, Chelsea should consider signing Mainoo or another midfielder in 2026.