Chelsea are now leading the race to sign a ‘superstar’ Premier League player, who is keen to leave his current club.
Blues back on track after Everton victory
The Blues ended a run of four games without a win in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto securing all three points.
Enzo Maresca will no doubt be buoyed by Palmer’s return to form, with the Englishman spending the majority of the campaign on the bench with a groin injury, before breaking a toe, although he is still not fully recovered.
Maresca certainly has no shortage of premium options in midfield, with Palmer taking up an advanced role against Everton, ahead of Enzo Fernandez and Reece James at the base of midfield, while Moises Caicedo is yet to return from suspension.
However, signing another new midfielder is on the agenda, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states that Chelsea are now leading the race to sign Kobbie Mainoo, who is keen to leave Manchester United due to lack of playing time.
Many clubs are in the running for Mainoo, with the Blues now in pole position, alongside Bayern Munich, although interest from Napoli could pose a problem.
The midfielder, of whom Frank Lampard is a “huge fan”, wants consistent minutes wherever he ends up next, meaning a move to the Italian club is attractive, especially given how Scott McTominay’s career has gone since arriving in Serie A.
‘Superstar’ Mainoo could be an exciting signing for Chelsea
Nicky Butt has made it clear he doesn’t want United to get rid of the youngster, saying: “If Mainoo played for another Premier League club, United would go and buy him for £70m or £80m,”
“Now we’ll sell him and he’ll be a superstar somewhere else like McTominay, Elanga, Henderson – we can name loads.”
However, it would be understandable for the 20-year-old to push for a move next month, given how little he has played this season, with the starlet yet to start a Premier League game.
Delap upgrade: Chelsea already have one of the ‘best strikers in Europe’
Chelsea have yet another exciting striker set to join their ranks in the coming months.
When the Englishman, represented by the same agent as Liam Delap, gets the chance, he has often impressed, particularly attracting attention with his dribbling and tackling over the past year, compared to other midfielders.
|
Kobbie Mainoo Key Stats |
Average for 90 (last year) |
|
Successful positions taken |
1.13 (90th percentile) |
|
Progressive ports |
1.91 (82nd percentile) |
|
Tackles |
2.77 (87th percentile) |
|
Goals without penalty |
0.14 (79th percentile) |
That said, Mainoo might also struggle to find game time at Chelsea, given Maresca already has Fernandez and Caicedo at his disposal, so a move to Stamford Bridge may not be ideal.
