Chelsea have made contact about a deal for Liverpool star Curtis Jones, following suggestions the midfielder has fallen out with manager Arne Slot.
Jones hasn't been high in Slot's thinking this season, often being used as a late substitute in the Premier League, and there are doubts surrounding his long-term future at Anfield, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2027.
Curtis Jones
Jermaine Pennant has suggested the midfielder has a strained relationship with Slot, which adds further fuel to the fire, saying after he was linked with a move away in January.
"To me, with the interest from Tottenham, his contract and Inter Milan, the bond with him and Slot.
"I think there's been a bit of a tiff and not seeing eye-to-eye."
Blues eyeing Jones after Rosenior sends message to Enzo
Liam Rosenior has his own problems to deal with in central midfield, with the manager making the bold decision to drop Enzo Fernandez for the 7-0 FA Cup victory against Port Vale and the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Enzo Fernández of Chelsea during the Premier League match Chelsea vs Brentford at Stamford Bridge
Even prior to the game, Chris Sutton was critical of Rosenior's way of handling Enzo's controversial comments about Madrid, claiming leaving him out was a "brainless" decision.
It remains to be seen whether Rosenior's approach has any bearing on the Argentinian's long-term future at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues are now eyeing a new central midfielder, with a report from Anfield Watch revealing they have made contact about a deal for Jones.
Manchester City and Newcastle United have taken the same course of action, with interest in the English midfielder building, given that he is about to enter the final year of his Liverpool contract.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones
There have been very few reports suggesting the 25-year-old is in line to receive a new deal, which indicates the door could be open for Chelsea to swoop in, and he could be a solid signing, having previously been lauded as "outstanding" by Slot.
The six-cap England international is also very experienced in the Premier League, making 147 appearances in the competition, and he is averaging a whopping 70.9 accurate passes per 90 this season, which is more than any other Liverpool player.
Rosenior's job may be safe despite Man City defeat
There were perhaps some mixed emotions heading into Sunday's game against Man City, with Rory Jennings making it clear he wanted Chelsea to lose, in order to hinder Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League title.
However, the manner of the defeat will be concerning, with the Blues failing to put up much of a fight in the 3-0 defeat, which was their fifth loss in their last six matches.
Champions League qualification is now looking increasingly unlikely, with Chelsea four points behind fifth-place Liverpool, but Rosenior's job may be safe regardless.
That is according to David Ornstein, who said: “To my knowledge they don’t intend to review the coaching position until at the earliest the Summer of 2027. At the end of his first full season which was the case for Pochettino and Maresca as well.”
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Liam Rosenior's future appears to be in doubt.