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Chelsea have been busy in the summer transfer market, but they are determined to continue strengthening ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, having fallen by the wayside last year.
The appointment of Xabi Alonso in the dugout looks to have been an inspired one. Chelsea's transfer strategy is being reworked, with Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra all joining thus far.
England's Morgan Rogers walks onto the pitch before the match
England's Morgan Rogers walks onto the pitch before the match
However, Alonso craves a midfielder to supercharge is developing project. Veteran England star Jordan Henderson has been signed, but the 36-year-old alone won't deliver the football Alonso has envisaged when taking the reins.
Why Alonso wants to sign another midfielder
Moises Caicedo has urged Enzo Fernandez to remain at Chelsea for the coming campaign. The Argentina superstar intimated in no uncertain terms his desire to leave after the Londoners' tenth-place Premier League finish.
Honestly, who knows if Fernandez will play for Chelsea in one month. He has a £120m price tag above his head, and that may well prove prohibitive for the lion's share of potential suitors, with Real Madrid already publicly declaring they will not be signing the 25-year-old this summer.
With this in mind, it shouldn't be any surprise that Alonso is searching for a young and robust centre-midfielder to power his system. Bournemouth's Alex Scott has been of a vested interest to the Blues, who are frustrated that their rejected £64m offer fell into public domain.
The Cherries don't want to sell, which is perhaps why Chelsea have started sniffing around for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard didn't quite have the anticipated effect at the Emirates last year, despite winning the Premier League, and their imminent signing of Bruno Guimaraes could see Chelsea pounce and reinvigorate one of the most talented maestros in English football.
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There should be no surprise that Alonso wants a midfield centrepiece with a bit of Spanish flavour about them. Well, how about an exciting alternative, a better pick than the likes of Zubimendi?
Chelsea in talks to sign Zubimendi & Scott upgrade
Scott and Zubimendi would both be smart picks to strengthen Chelsea's core, but this is a critical juncture in the Blues' history, in dire need of bouncing back after missing out on European football entirely last year.
Well, according to well-informed Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, Chelsea are in talks to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace, having recently spoken to their neighbours over a potential deal.
Wharton, 22, is one of the most stylish passers in the Premier League. Chelsea are not alone in desiring him, with Liverpool also chasing the £100m-rated England international (who was snubbed by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup and thus may want to take a step up the ladder).
Zubimendi would be a measured and intelligent addition to the middle of the Chelsea park, but would he take games by the scruff of the neck, influence and spearhead his side to victory? There's a strong case to be made that Wharton has more in his locker.
Perhaps he was a touch too safe at Arsenal last season, ranking among the bottom 29% of Premier League midfielders for chances created and the bottom 34% for duels won per 90.
Wharton is deceptively combative. He is skilled on the ball and would prove a fitting Fernandez replacement, should he leave. Zubimendi might be a calm and collected technician, but Wharton would bring more to the table, supporting the likes of Rogers and Cole Palmer.
Wharton has won three titles with Crystal Palace over the past couple of years. He has grown into his skin as a "passing machine", as hailed by journalist Henry Winter.
Adam-Wharton-Crystal-Palace
This is exactly what Alonso's system needs. Wharton would be the perfect fit at Chelsea this summer, someone who would make more of an impact than the likes of Scott and Zubimendi.
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