Chelsea are closely monitoring Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong as the West London club looks to add midfield reinforcement for Xabi Alonso, according to Sport.
The Blues spent the summer trying to bring in another midfielder to Stamford Bridge but failed to sign any of their major transfer targets.
Chelsea are still in the market for midfield operators and could now turn to the Dutch international (70 caps) whose contract expires in 2029.
The 29-year-old Chelsea target has fallen down the pecking order with Pedri, Gavi, Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Fermin Lopez all ahead of him as he recovers from a knee injury.
He returned to training this week after opting against surgery, which the Catalan club wanted him to undergo. Thankfully, the recovery has been positive so far.
De Jong is not currently considering a change of scenery, but he could change his mind if he doesn’t see a pathway to Hansi Flick’s XI.
Chelsea could use a deep-lying playmaker like De Jong
Chelsea need someone beside Moises Caicedo, handling build-up play, organising the set-up, and dictating proceedings, as Granit Xhaka did for Alonso previously.
De Jong can control games with his passing and is even more impressive at driving forward with the ball. He can also hold his own defensively. Profile-wise, it is a perfect fit.
He gets criticised a lot because Barca fans expected more, given his absurd €86 million price tag and massive salary.
However, he is a solid, ‘dynamic‘ midfielder who has plenty to offer a team like Chelsea.
De Jong can add experience, technical know-how, and better balance to Alonso’s midfield. His arrival will let the Blues move Reece James out of midfield, where he is average.
It will also allow the Club World Cup champions to move on from Jordan Henderson, a curiously underwhelming summer addition.