Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
With Enzo Fernandez reportedly closing in on a move to Man City, Chelsea are having to scour the market at this late stage to bring in a new central midfielder. They have compiled a four-man list.
Despite missing Chelsea’s £120m deadline earlier this month, it appears City are closer than ever to completing a deal for Fernandez. Some reports even claim that City are willing to pay north of £120m.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
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Nicolo Schira says Fernandez has an agreement in principle with Man City on a deal until June 2032. It was expected City would make Chelsea an offer on Wednesday, details of which are yet to be unearthed.
In the meantime, Chelsea are scrambling in an attempt to replace him. TalkSPORT say Chelsea have put together a four-man shortlist of players: Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Manu Kone and Eduardo Camavinga.
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Of the four, Kone will be the easiest to sign given Roma’s need to sell players before the window slams shut. Palace have refuted offers for Wharton, as have Bournemouth for Scott – though there is hope.
Then, there is Camavinga. The €60m-rated midfielder has featured in both of Jose Mourinho’s first two games in charge, but only as a late sub. On Wednesday night, he played 12 minutes against Sociedad.
Eduardo Camavinga central midfielder of Real Madrid
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Reporter Latigo Serrano shared Camavinga’s stance on his YouTube channel this week. He claims that despite approaches from Chelsea and Newcastle, Camavinga will stay at Madrid – until January at least.
“There are two options for Camavinga in the Premier League. Two interested clubs, not two offers, I repeat, two clubs interested in Camavinga. There wasn’t a formal offer from either Chelsea or Newcastle.
“Newcastle and Chelsea, through Jorge Mendes, did raise the possibility of negotiating for Camavinga, but the player has stated that he won’t leave Real Madrid until January,” Serrano reported on YouTube.
A blessing in disguise, Chelsea can do better than Camavinga
Ask most Real Madrid fans, and they will tell you the same thing: Camavinga has not been good enough for a couple of seasons now. One thing you can almost guarantee with Camavinga is a yellow card.
Even last night, despite playing for 12 minutes, he got himself into the book. Xabi Alonso needs a player who can get on the ball and dictate, who can set the tempo and feed Chelsea’s exciting front three.
Wharton would be perfect, and if there is even a sniff of a chance that Palace may allow Wharton to go, even at a ludicrous price, Chelsea should make a move for the England man. He is one who fits perfectly.
Camavinga fills a gap, but bringing him in as a replacement for Fernandez – it’s just not the same, even if Alonso would like a player slightly more defensive. The Blues can do a whole lot better than Camavinga.