Chelsea quietly plot midfield move as Maresca targets major squad shift

Workload concerns drive planning

Chelsea’s recruitment planning has increasingly turned toward the centre of the pitch, where minutes and responsibilities have begun to stack up.

According to The Telegraph, the club is considering adding a new midfielder to help manage the workload currently shouldered by Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. Both players have become indispensable under Maresca, featuring heavily as Chelsea look to impose greater control and intensity in midfield.

Behind the scenes, there is a belief that relying so heavily on the same pairing across competitions risks fatigue and limits tactical flexibility later in the campaign.

Two names rise to the top

According to The Telegraph’s reporting, Chelsea have identified two players who stand out above the rest of their midfield targets.

Read also: “I never should have left Manchester United, it’s my one regret”

Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are understood to be the leading options under consideration as the club evaluates how best to strengthen without disrupting long term planning. Both are viewed as players who could grow into central roles rather than serve as short term rotation pieces.

The report suggests Chelsea’s interest is rooted as much in future development as immediate squad depth.

Recruitment aligned with Maresca’s vision

Any potential move would reflect Maresca’s wider approach to squad management, which prioritises rotation, adaptability, and sustained physical output across a long season.

Chelsea’s recruitment staff are said to be weighing factors such as availability, financial feasibility, and how each profile would fit into the manager’s tactical structure. No formal approaches have been made, and the club has not commented publicly on the situation.

Read also: Liverpool plot shock €95m move for Salah heir as Barcelona ruled out

A calculated move in a crowded market

With midfield depth now emerging as a clear priority, Chelsea are expected to keep a close watch on how the market develops in the coming weeks.

The club’s next steps are likely to depend on timing, competition from rivals, and whether opportunities arise that align with both sporting ambitions and financial strategy.

Sources: The Telegraph

Read also: Barcelona hit by season-ending injury as club already look to replacement

Read also: Neves turns down Saudi deal as shock Premier League return talk gathers pace