Chelsea have become known for splashing the cash in the transfer market since the BlueCo takeover back in May 2022, with the club breaking the English record transfer fee on two separate occasions.
The Blues have spent around £1.4b on incomings in the past three and a half years, with Enzo Maresca currently the beneficiary of the heavy spending in recent times.
The Italian has been able to guide the side to fourth place after the first 16 Premier League games this campaign, subsequently losing on only four occasions.
Enzo-Maresca-Leeds-Chelsea
However, the upcoming January transfer window presents the 45-year-old with yet another opportunity to land added talent to bolster their title credentials.
With the January transfer window rapidly approaching on the horizon, the hierarchy have already drawn up a shortlist of options, especially in one specific area of the pitch.
Chelsea prepare move for £100m PL midfielder
In preparation for the January transfer window, the Chelsea board have started identifying options to strengthen the squad, resulting in links to a move for Kobbie Mainoo.
The Manchester United star has struggled for minutes under Ruben Amorim this season, subsequently failing to start a single league game and leading to rumours of an Old Trafford exit.
Kobbie Mainoo
However, it’s unclear if the Red Devils would sanction a permanent move this winter, with the board wanting to keep the 20-year-old midfielder despite his lack of recent action.
He’s not the only Premier League option currently in their sights, with Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson another option currently being considered by the Blues.
According to Simon Phillips, Maresca’s men hold a keen interest in the 23-year-old ahead of the upcoming window, but could face competition from Manchester United for his signature.
He’s also states that Sean Dyche’s side don’t want to lose the England international during the January window, which has led to an inflated £100m price tag being quoted at present.
Why Anderson would be perfect alongside Caicedo
Moises Caicedo is a player who has helped transform the Chelsea midfield over the last couple of years, with the £115m addition certainly living up to the hefty price tag.
Moises-Caicedo-chelsea
He joined the club from Brighton back in the summer of 2023, with many fans undoubtedly having huge expectations due to the hefty fee paid for his signature.
However, in 2025, he’s become one of Maresca’s most important players, as seen by his tally of 11 starts - only missing a handful of games after his dismissal against Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has provided a ball-winning presence at the base of the midfield in recent years, as seen by his remarkable tally of 3.1 tackles won per 90 this campaign.
However, the club are in need of a box-to-box option alongside him to help complete the Blues’ three-man midfield alongside the Ecuadorian and Cole Palmer.
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo in action with Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo in action with Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss
Anderson’s stats from the 2025/26 campaign highlight why he would be the perfect option, but also taking some of the defensive responsibility off Caicedo in the process.
The 23-year-old has excelled in numerous key areas, whether that be in or out of possession in the Premier League, ultimately leading to his staggering price tag.
The Forest star, who’s been dubbed “world-class" by one commentator, has completed an average of 8.6 progressive passes and 7.8 passes into the final third per 90.
Such tallies rank him in the top 3% of all players in the division this season, subsequently highlighting the talent he possesses when having the ball at his feet.
Elliot Anderson - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Progressive passes
Passes into final third
Key passes
Take-ons completed
Tackles made
Blocks made
Recoveries made
Stats via FBref
However, Anderson has also been able to transfer the ball into attacking areas, as seen by his tally of 1.3 take-ons completed per 90 - also ranking him in the top 4% of all midfielders in the league.
His all-round talents are reflected without the ball, subsequently winning 2.7 tackles per 90, but it’s his ability to be in the right place at the right time which has allowed him to make 8.3 recoveries per 90.
Such a tally is the highest of any player in the league, which could make him the perfect player to operate alongside Caicedo at the base of the Blues side.
The Ecuadorian has been the key defensive option in recent years, but it’s evident that Anderson is a player who can do everything - but also to a very high standard.
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson celebrates after the match
£100m would be yet another mammoth investment from the board, but it’s a deal that could see Maresca’s side boast the best central midfield partnership in the division.
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