Chelsea target new midfielder to ease growing burden on Fernandez and Caicedo

Cameron Smith

• 18 Dec 2025 07:02 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Chelsea will reportedly target a new central midfielder in 2026 in order to ease the workload on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo next season.

The Blues are expected to be active in the market yet again next summer and the club’s recruitment team has identified signing a new option to provide cover in the centre of midfield as a key priority.

Fernandez and Caicedo have played a combined 3,418 minutes so far this season and Enzo Maresca has been forced to rely on the duo more than anticipated due to the injuries of Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo.

Essugo, in particular, was signed from Sporting CP over the summer to be Caicedo’s back-up, but he is yet to feature for the Blues this season after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty with Portugal’s U21 side in September.

Meanwhile, Lavia has once again struggled to stay fit this term, with club captain Reece James frequently being used in the middle of the park rather than in his natural position of right-back as a result.

Having sold Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Lesley Ugochukwu, Mathis Amougou, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei this year, Chelsea now found themselves with a threadbare selection of available midfielders and they are ready to address this issue in 2026, as per The Telegraph.

Chelsea to sign a new central midfielder

It’s reported that Chelsea are unlikely to dip into the January market in search of reinforcements, however they are ready to sign a new central midfielder during the 2026 summer transfer window.

The Telegraph state that Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) are both long-term targets, although it remains to be seen if Chelsea will rekindle their interest in the Premier League duo next year.

The Blues may also reportedly opt to strengthen their options at centre-back, although they will wait on several factors before making a decision on a possible pursuit, including Levi Colwill’s form upon his return from injury and whether or not any existing players depart.

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