Chelsea’s chances of signing Kobbie Mainoo may just have taken a turn, as Michael Carrick starts his new position as Manchester United manager.
A central midfielder is one of the only positions that Chelsea could really do with strengthening during the January transfer window.
Enzo Fernanez, Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, and Andrey Santos are currently the only options available to Liam Rosenior, with Romeo Lavia out injured.
There have been links between Chelsea and Ruben Neves, as well as Lucas Paqueta, still being credited with an interest from the Blues, but nothing is concrete.
Elsewhere, there is Kobbie Mainoo, who looked destined to leave Manchester United, but Michael Carrick’s appointment may just change things.
DECISION TIME: If Liam Rosenior gets to pick one midfielder signing this month, who should it be?💰
Have we missed anyone…
Chelsea midfielder targets
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Michael Carrick has made his feelings known on Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo looked like he was destined to leave Manchester United under Ruben Amorim after suffering from a real shortage of minutes.
Before the January transfer window, Chelsea saw Mainoo as ‘gettable’, but that could all change.
Michael Carrick is a big fan of Mainoo. In July, when he sat down with his former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, he had this to say.
“I think for a club to have a player that’s come through the academy and knows the club and feels it… I think Man United’s got to have an element of that. [They] always have done and always will.
“I think to have a talent like he’s shown already, you’ve got to have players like that, where you say, ‘Right, they get it. They know it.’ Let’s help them, let’s build the team and stick with them. There’s definitely a place for him there, for sure.”
Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wants him out of Old Trafford 😶
Could he revive his career at Chelsea?
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Kobbie Mainoo’s stats compared to the Chelsea midfielders
As you can see, it’s very close between the three players, with Mainoo and Caicedo marginally coming out on top in 2025.
2025 stats (per 90) Kobbie Mainoo Moises Caicedo Enzo Fernandez
Pass Accuracy 88.1% 91.0% 83.4%
Tackles Won 2.2 2.8 1.4
Progressive Carries 3.2 1.1 2.1
Chances Created 1.1 0.9 1.8
Take-on Success 58% 53% 48%
Goals / Assists 0 / 1 3 / 1 6 / 2
Mainoo is exactly the kind of player that Liam Rosenior could do with in his midfield. He’s quick, a good passer of the ball, and he works tirelessly, which is vitally important in his side.
Andrey Santos has also added a lot more to his game since returning to Chelsea and should only progress from here under a familiar face like Rosenior.
The only concern would be if there are a couple of injuries.
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