Chelsea Prepared to Sign An Elite English Midfielder in January - But Which One?

Chelsea Set to Splash on England Midfield Duo

It’s no surprise to any of us at this point, but once again, Chelsea are preparing to splash the cash ahead of the January transfer window. Having spent over £1.3 billion since the Clearlake takeover in 2022, fans have got used to seeing outlandish transfer rumours across social media, but the fact that the Blues continue to act on these rumours has started to make fans of rival clubs uncomfortable.

It seems we are preparing for more of the same - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphasised the importance of having another world-class midfielder since the summer transfer window, and it appears that the Chelsea board, despite butting heads with him more than a couple of times in recent months, are ready to back their man.

Chelsea are planning to sign a midfielder with Enzo Maresca looking to ease the load currently being placed on Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández at the heart of midfield.

They've got two names at the very top of their shortlist:

🔸 Kobbie Mainoo
🔸 Adam Wharton

(@Telegraph)… pic.twitter.com/cFLk0tNf1n

— On The Ball ⚽️ (@OfficialOTBNews) December 19, 2025

As such, news has been circulating that the Blues are front-runners to sign one of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo (20) and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton (21), as they look to bolster their squad in a bid to force themselves back into the title race.

Spoiled for Choice

The news hardly comes as a shock - the Blues have been linked with both players for nigh on a year, and in summer, there was a time when Mainoo to Chelsea looked more likely to happen than not.

When an 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo scored this 97th-minute winner against Wolves ⭐pic.twitter.com/AO9C6iCYq2

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 8, 2025

The United man and Wharton have been hailed as two of the most talented midfielders produced by England in a generation - Wharton boasts all the class and composure of a certain Toni Kroos, while Mainoo’s press resistance and lightning-quick decision-making have seen him likened to Clarence Seedorf.

Chelsea stars Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have taken the major brunt of the Blues' midfield workload this season, and as recently as late November, Moises Caicedo was alleged to have complained about his ridiculous playing schedule to close friends and family, indicating that more high-quality midfielder depth was needed.

Mainoo and Wharton fit right into that category - Wharton is starting week in and week out for an overachieving Crystal Palace side, and while Mainoo is not getting the minutes his talent deserves at Man United, there can be no doubt over his prestigious talent.

A move is made even more key by the fact that backup midfielder Romeo Lavia cannot shrug off his constant injury issues, while Dario Essugo, signed in the summer, is only just returning to match fitness after picking up a long-term injury in pre-season. This has left Brazilian Andrey Santos as Chelsea’s only reliably available backup midfielder.

It is now up to Chelsea over which option they go for; signing both is unrealistic, particularly with both boasting price tags in excess of £70 million - but we know from recent years that a big fee is not enough to put the Blues' recruitment team off.

Another classy performance from Adam Wharton for @CPFC 🤌 pic.twitter.com/40qwyVU2k9

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 7, 2025

The decision is ultimately down to Maresca - both players would fit his system. Wharton’s control would allow his side to be infinitely more comfortable in possession, something they have been craving for a while now, but Mainoo’s explosive style and propensity to run at defenders fit Chelsea’s “young, brave and fearless” recruitment strategy perfectly.

One thing is certain - whichever player Chelsea opt to bring in, they won’t come cheap: according to FotMob, both players' base market value stands at £51 million, and when factoring in their young age, the teams they play for, and the exciting future they represent, that number is likely to inflate massively upon a deal being agreed.

If you’re going to keep track of any transfer story this January, this is it.