ไทย
English
中國人
Chelsea have once again seized the spotlight as the Premier League's most active participants in this summer's transfer market.
The club have already completed 11 new arrivals as their approach of targeting exceptional young talent has been somewhat balanced by the addition of a number of experienced players to Xabi Alonso's expansive squad. They have also shattered their transfer record for the fifth time this decade with the acquisition of Morgan Rogers.
Yet it is a potential departure that continues to dominate the headlines. Enzo Fernández's situation has been shrouded in uncertainty for the past five months after he openly courted Real Madrid back in March. That door has since closed, but a reunion with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at Manchester City remains on the table.
In characteristically bold fashion, the Blues have reportedly handed their Premier League rivals a deadline: pay $162 million by Friday, Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET, 9 a.m. PT) or walk away from the Argentine midfielder.
Whether City will meet those demands remains to be seen, but Chelsea must now consider potential replacements for the 25-year-old. Here are five candidates who could step into his role.
5. Martín Zubimendi
Martín Zubimendi has recently surfaced as one of Chelsea's potential transfer targets. The interest appears to originate from manager Alonso, who developed a close working relationship with his fellow Spaniard during a previous spell as Real Sociedad B manager. Zubimendi has even cited Alonso as his "idol".
However, there are several fairly obvious complications surrounding a Chelsea move for the 27-year-old.
For one, Arsenal have no intention of selling the midfielder, who only joined last summer and played a key role in their Premier League title-winning season — even if his impact diminished as the campaign wore on.
Secondly, Zubimendi is a fundamentally different player to Fernández. The 2026 World Cup winner is a defensively-oriented midfielder with a limited goal threat and a cautious style of play. Chelsea require a more dynamic and creative presence in midfield to complement their current enforcer, Moisés Caicedo.
4. Lamine Camara
Chelsea may need to call in a favour from a former player to land Lamine Camara. The midfielder is currently contracted to Monaco, who have recently appointed ex-Blues defender Filipe Luís as their new head coach. However, no special treatment should be expected.
Camara has reportedly caught their eye, while also drawing interest from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Monaco are said to be seeking around $58 million for his services.
The 22-year-old has certainly made his mark in Ligue 1, even earning a call-up with Senegal at the World Cup. He contributed three goals and four assists, impressing with his wide passing range, defensive awareness and ability to resist the press.
Questions linger over whether he can consistently perform at the highest level, but he undeniably possesses the physicality and work rate needed to thrive in Alonso's midfield.
3. Myles Lewis-Skelly
Chelsea have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from rivals Arsenal after being offered the versatile midfielder, who has featured predominantly at left back in first-team action. If accurate, this is a surprising decision given Chelsea's well-established transfer philosophy of targeting young talent almost exclusively.
There is no questioning Lewis-Skelly's talent and upside, along with an impressive résumé at just 19 years old, and his ability to operate in two positions only enhances his value. He is a strong ball carrier who can thread passes into tight spaces — a quality Chelsea would sorely miss should Fernández leave.
Lewis-Skelly, who already holds six England caps, is also a tenacious defender, displaying the energy and combativeness that Fernández also brings to the table.
While not a direct replacement, he would undoubtedly be a thrilling addition to Alonso's squad.
2. Alex Scott
Chelsea's pursuit of Alex Scott has been widely reported. Their $86.5 million offer for the midfielder was turned down in July, with Bournemouth determined to retain him and prepared to reject any subsequent bids. However, with Scott having declined to extend his contract, the Cherries find themselves in a difficult position.
Selling Fernández would undoubtedly open the door for a move for Scott, enabling Chelsea to increase their offer and push Bournemouth's stance to the limit. The 22-year-old has more than justified the attention he has attracted over the past year.
A full season without injury has allowed the Englishman to demonstrate his considerable potential, with now-Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola guiding him through a hugely impressive 2025–26 campaign. Scott was the driving force in Bournemouth's midfield as they secured Europa League qualification.
A complete midfielder, Scott brings a wealth of qualities to the table. Relentless off the ball, composed in possession and capable of arriving late into the box, he could prove to be an ideal successor to Fernández.
1. Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton has long attracted admiration from Europe's top clubs. Despite only joining Crystal Palace in Feb. 2024 from EFL Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, the midfielder has already earned four England caps and been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City.
There is good reason why Wharton is so coveted, and Chelsea could readily pursue the 22-year-old should Fernández be sold.
England seldom produces midfielders of such technical quality, comparable to those who have so consistently dominated games for nations like Spain and Portugal. Wharton is graceful in possession, the ideal deep-lying playmaker who can control the tempo and deliver incisive forward passes.
It took Wharton 94 appearances to register his first Palace goal towards the end of last season, yet his creative output has produced 12 assists across two-and-a-half seasons with the Eagles. He rarely gives the ball away and has the vision and ambition to break down deep-sitting defences.
He is precisely the type of player Chelsea — and many other clubs — are so desperately searching for.