By KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER
Published: 13:31 EST, 22 January 2026 | Updated: 13:31 EST, 22 January 2026
Chelsea are considering a move for Douglas Luiz, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus, to add to their midfield depth.
The Brazil international is temporarily with Forest but has only made 13 appearances all season – eight of those coming in the Premier League.
Chelsea are now discussing whether to temporarily bring the 27-year-old to Stamford Bridge following setbacks to Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo.
Lavia, whose career with the Blues has been curtailed by injuries, has not appeared since early November and no timeframe has been placed on the 22-year-old’s return.
Essugo’s issue remains a mystery with the club not commenting on his absence.
Liam Rosenior revealed how the 20-year-old was set to make his first appearance of the season versus Arsenal earlier in January following a serious thigh injury, but that he was forced into changing his substitutes as others told him they were tiring.
Since then, Essugo has been missing from the match-day squads against Brentford and Pafos and not seen in training sessions. Rosenior may provide an update at his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Friday if asked.
Chelsea are considering a move for Douglas Luiz, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest
Chelsea are now discussing whether to temporarily sign the 27-year-old, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus, after setbacks to Romeo Lavia (above) and Dario Essugo
Chelsea’s other midfield options include Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos, with Reece James and Malo Gusto occasionally asked to play in central positions as the Blues compete in four separate competitions.
Now, Chelsea may turn to Luiz, who left Aston Villa for Juventus in a £42.3million move in 2024, but he struggled to have an impact in Turin. He has endured his own injury issues, including while on loan at Forest, but does carry Premier League experience.