Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 31,108]

EXCL: What my sources are saying about Adam Wharton ahead of January interest from Liverpool, Chelsea & Man Utd

Keep a close eye on this one...

https://thedailybriefing.io/p/excl-what-my-sources-are-saying-about

 

I’ve just had an interesting WhatsApp exchange with a very well-connected source who’s expecting strong interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton this January.

As I recently reported for CaughtOffside here, Wharton had genuine and concrete chances of moving late on this summer, but Palace succeeded in frightening suitors off with a whopping £100m price tag.

Needless to say, there was no appetite to let Wharton leave so late in the window when Eberechi Eze had already joined Arsenal and Marc Guehi looked set for a move to Liverpool.

In the end, Eagles co-owner and chairman Steve Parish will have to view the transfer window as a relative success - Eze was the only major sale, with Wharton and Guehi staying put, while Oliver Glasner is also still in charge despite interest from Manchester United.

Adam Wharton will be one to watch again in January

However, this may all only be a temporary reprieve, with Guehi obviously out of contract at the end of the season. As reported yesterday, Liverpool remain confident that they’re in pole position to sign him on a free transfer despite “noise” about links with other clubs.

Wharton is also going to be one to watch again in upcoming transfer windows, with my sources telling me that Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United could all push for him in January.

Starting with United, we know they made a bid for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, and he’s still on their list, but that might not be the only midfield signing they make in the next twelve months, with Wharton also highly appreciated.

My source this morning told me: “United see Wharton as the ideal replacement for Casemiro, who’s expected to leave at the end of the season. His ability to dictate play from deep fits perfectly into Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup. They made an approach in the summer, but Palace rejected it outright.”

This source, who was also one of the first to confirm Arsenal had made a breakthrough on the Eze deal, also informed me that Wharton’s asking price for January would likely be more like £60m than the £100m they raised it to towards the end of the summer.

World Cup could come into Adam Wharton’s thinking

Why the change of heart? Well, although Wharton is not expected to push hard for a move away from Selhurst Park, there is next summer’s World Cup to think about.

(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The England international is likely to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, but there’s a lot of competition for a starting spot. Clearly, this is a player who knows very well that he’s good enough to be in that XI, but playing for a bigger club and in the Champions League would undoubtedly do his chances no harm.

My source confirmed this to me, saying: “Wharton is keen to play European football and cement his place in the national team - these factors could influence his next move.”

This could mean Liverpool and Chelsea have an advantage over United for the time being, as they’re both in Europe, but it’s also the case that there’d be more competition in those squads.

Arne Slot is a big admirer of Wharton as I understand it, but football is unpredictable and all sides will know there’s some uncertainty about whether the 21-year-old would immediately be able to shift other top midfield players like Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai out of the Liverpool starting line up.

Similarly, Chelsea already have Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez as their clear first-choice midfield pairing. Wharton very much fits the profile of player this Blues ownership likes, but it’s not a move without its risks.

Wharton is open to leaving Palace and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this in the weeks and months ahead, but a combination of regular playing time and European football will be crucial. Let’s see if anything emerges that ticks both of those boxes.

[mkh 760]

 “Any way back for Sterling and Disasi?” 

Maresca: “With us? No” 

[mkh 760]

16yo Reggie Walsh trained with CFC first team this week 

Enzo Maresca: "I like all the academy guys but Reggie is the one I like more than the rest. He is doing things I'm demanding from others, but he is doing those things without me asking him. I don't need to ask him."

Maresca on Mheuka and Ryan Kavuma McQueen: “They are both in my plans, for sure. Shimmy was already with us and played some games for us last year. Ryan is more of a winger.”

Maresca on Mheuka and Ryan Kavuma McQueen: 

🗣 "They are both in my plans, for sure. I was watching when Ryan scored four goals against Germany, so I was very impressed, but I already knew him. One of my staff is always watching the youth team; they told me he was very good."

[@LloydCanfield]

Edited September 12, 2025 by mkh

[Vesper 31,108]

Enzo Maresca: Chelsea squad not ‘worried’ about club’s 74 FA charges

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6622773/2025/09/12/enzo-maresca-Chelsea-charges/

 

Enzo Maresca says neither he or the Chelsea players are worried about the club facing 74 charges for alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.

Chelsea have until September 19 to respond to the Football Association (FA) with the potential punishments, if found guilty, ranging from a fine to a points deduction or transfer ban.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that the club are expecting it to just be a fine, although an independent commission will be the ones to decide what happens.

Maresca admits he is not too concerned about the situation. Speaking during Friday’s pre-match press conference, when asked if he had spoken to anyone in the hierarchy about the case, he replied: “I know from the club that they are satisfied about the situation, about the process.

“Personally I don’t have anything to add, firstly because I don’t have any idea. If I say something I could be wrong or right. I just focus on the pitch side, something I can control. The rest is not in my hands.”

When pressed if he will speak to the players to reassure them over the possible ramifications, he replied: “I don’t think the players are too worried about the situation.”

What You Should Read Next

Chelsea’s 74 FA charges explained: What are the allegations and how could they be punished?

Breaking down what Chelsea are accused of by the FA and what the implications could be

Chelsea face Brentford on Saturday and Maresca will make a late decision on whether to recall Cole Palmer to the squad after a groin problem. The 23-year-old has played just once this season, against Crystal Palace in the opening game.

He was withdrawn from the starting XI against West Ham United the following week at the last moment having felt some discomfort during the warm-up.

Maresca said: “Cole took part in the session for the first time yesterday. It was not for the whole session, we have one more session this afternoon and we will try with him. We will see if he is okay, otherwise he will be out of tomorrow’s game.

“For sure the moment he is available we will probably have to think of managing him because of the amount of games.”

[mkh 760]

David Datro Fofana is on loan at Karagümrük.

Buy option (€8 million).

Edited September 13, 2025 by mkh

[Fernando 6,726]

14 hours ago, Vesper said:

Nilson Angulo

Yes I saw him played against Argentina and was tearing them apart. 

Not long before a PL team come for him. Maybe Brighton. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,399]

11 hours ago, Vesper said:

Enzo Maresca: Chelsea squad not ‘worried’ about club’s 74 FA charges

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6622773/2025/09/12/enzo-maresca-Chelsea-charges/

 

Enzo Maresca says neither he or the Chelsea players are worried about the club facing 74 charges for alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.

Chelsea have until September 19 to respond to the Football Association (FA) with the potential punishments, if found guilty, ranging from a fine to a points deduction or transfer ban.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that the club are expecting it to just be a fine, although an independent commission will be the ones to decide what happens.

Maresca admits he is not too concerned about the situation. Speaking during Friday’s pre-match press conference, when asked if he had spoken to anyone in the hierarchy about the case, he replied: “I know from the club that they are satisfied about the situation, about the process.

“Personally I don’t have anything to add, firstly because I don’t have any idea. If I say something I could be wrong or right. I just focus on the pitch side, something I can control. The rest is not in my hands.”

When pressed if he will speak to the players to reassure them over the possible ramifications, he replied: “I don’t think the players are too worried about the situation.”

What You Should Read Next

Chelsea’s 74 FA charges explained: What are the allegations and how could they be punished?

Breaking down what Chelsea are accused of by the FA and what the implications could be

Chelsea face Brentford on Saturday and Maresca will make a late decision on whether to recall Cole Palmer to the squad after a groin problem. The 23-year-old has played just once this season, against Crystal Palace in the opening game.

He was withdrawn from the starting XI against West Ham United the following week at the last moment having felt some discomfort during the warm-up.

Maresca said: “Cole took part in the session for the first time yesterday. It was not for the whole session, we have one more session this afternoon and we will try with him. We will see if he is okay, otherwise he will be out of tomorrow’s game.

“For sure the moment he is available we will probably have to think of managing him because of the amount of games.”

Could you imagine the FA & Prem strip our titles during that period all because Clearlake reported themselves on something no one would’ve found out?
 

If the fans don’t hate them already they will then. 

[YorkshireBlue 3,345]

1 hour ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Could you imagine the FA & Prem strip our titles during that period all because Clearlake reported themselves on something no one would’ve found out?
 

If the fans don’t hate them already they will then. 

I wouldn’t hate the new owners for that, I would blame the previous, blaming the new because the old cheated is dumb as fuck. 

[Mário César 1,483]

we will not have our titles strip. No one in social media his telling that

Maybe transfer ban, point deductions or a fine

[TheHulk 2,647]

1 hour ago, YorkshireBlue said:

I wouldn’t hate the new owners for that, I would blame the previous, blaming the new because the old cheated is dumb as fuck. 

Yeah blame the old owner for knowing how to keep it a secret and have these bunch reveal it when no one asked them.

[YorkshireBlue 3,345]

22 minutes ago, TheHulk said:

Yeah blame the old owner for knowing how to keep it a secret and have these bunch reveal it when no one asked them.

Ah so cheating is ok as long as you can hide it 

[OneMoSalah 9,104]

5 hours ago, YorkshireBlue said:

Ah so cheating is ok as long as you can hide it 

Weren’t complaining at the time when we were winning all those trophies and signing top top players, where you? I don’t think anyone was or would be in all honesty. Saying “ah so its ok to cheat” after everything Roman did for the club is also a bit ridiculous and ungrateful no? 

Taking the moral high ground at any level - be it the new owners all the way down to fans - is a bit daft now because it’s happened, nobody really knew, now we do. 

Even BlueCo have done some questionable things since taking over. Like Radcliffe at United also. Look at City also with their charges…. Footballs a business, business is shady. 

Who said anything about taking titles…. These charges aren’t for match fixing…. 

Edited September 13, 2025 by OneMoSalah

[Blue Armour 4,721]

4 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Weren’t complaining at the time when we were winning all those trophies and signing top top players, where you? I don’t think anyone was or would be in all honesty. Saying “ah so its ok to cheat” after everything Roman did for the club is also a bit ridiculous and ungrateful no? 

Taking the moral high ground at any level - be it the new owners all the way down to fans - is a bit daft now because it’s happened, nobody really knew, now we do. 

Even BlueCo have done some questionable things since taking over. Like Radcliffe at United also. Look at City also with their charges…. Footballs a business, business is shady. 

Who said anything about taking titles…. These charges aren’t for match fixing…. 

Agree with this. PSR rules are arbitrary & made to benefit some groups more than others.

If we unfairly took direct advantage over other teams in securing multiple top players, or directly influenced match results through unscrupulous means, that's a different story because it mocks the competition and puts other teams on the back foot.

The only way BlueCo will look good from this, is if they manage to stave off serious punishment from the FA & the Premier league.

Anything else will look like an own-goal from the owners.

 

[Reddish-Blue 2,676]

On 13/09/2025 at 06:08, Mário César said:

We already knew that

His move to tottenham dont bother me too much

we are ok in the attack

I would take Kudus over Gittens any day of the week

Such a shame that Spurs got him and Simons. 

[OneMoSalah 9,104]

3 hours ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I would take Kudus over Gittens any day of the week

Such a shame that Spurs got him and Simons. 

Different sides though. Kudus looks a good player in parts but would frustrate the life out of you. If he gets that real ruthless streak in him, he could potentially be a very good player but it remains to be seen if he can deliver at a much higher level week in week out. He has only hit double figures for goals 3 seasons in his whole career.

One of Gittens or Garnacho shouldn’t of been signed so we could have made a move for a more established left winger for them to learn from (and to be more likely to be aboe to contribute directly from the get go). Or even someone more in the mould of Pedro Neto’s age bracket perhaps.

Simons wouldn’t have came here to essentially be a back up to Cole either I think. I know we were short on the fee but he went to PSV & Leipzig to play regularly instead of being a back up/squad player at PSG. I cannot see how a player of that quality would have been happy to sit on the bench while his primary position is occupied by our best player who plays when he is available 90% of the time. He plays out on the left also but he is definitely more of a central player.

Edited September 14, 2025 by OneMoSalah

[xPetrCechx 13,598]

So we've wasted hundreds of millions of pounds and we still have a mediocre goalkeeper and defense...

[YorkshireBlue 3,345]

11 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Weren’t complaining at the time when we were winning all those trophies and signing top top players, where you? I don’t think anyone was or would be in all honesty. Saying “ah so its ok to cheat” after everything Roman did for the club is also a bit ridiculous and ungrateful no? 

Taking the moral high ground at any level - be it the new owners all the way down to fans - is a bit daft now because it’s happened, nobody really knew, now we do. 

Even BlueCo have done some questionable things since taking over. Like Radcliffe at United also. Look at City also with their charges…. Footballs a business, business is shady. 

Who said anything about taking titles…. These charges aren’t for match fixing…. 

Why would I complain at the time when no one knew? What a stupid argument to make, fact is we all up in arms about Man City should get this Man City should get that, but now it’s us it’s a different story 😂, been charged with 74 counts, you can sugar coat it all you want but it’s cheating, also the last part of your message I never said anything about loosing titles you have just plucked that out of thin air, what I originally said was I’d blame the previous owners over the new as it was Roman era where it happened, I don’t blame any one for paying 3 billion pounds for a company to then find out it’s had some dodgy stuff going on in the back ground and then bringing it forward willingly, saying it was never going to come out isn’t a bet I’d like to take after spending 3 billion.

 

are we that pathetic as fans that we would rather win at any cost that cheating is now acceptable as long as we don’t get caught? If so football is done.

Edited September 14, 2025 by YorkshireBlue

[NikkiCFC 8,516]

What cheating? This is related to agents payments... Zero influence on the pitch. 

[YorkshireBlue 3,345]

3 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

What cheating? This is related to agents payments... Zero influence on the pitch. 

 Right? Doesn't have to be on the pitch mate, cheating comes in many forms etc, no one saying we cheated on the pitch, we could get anything from a fine to trophy’s removed and the extreme end demoted from the league, we don’t know how serious the punishment will be until we get it, fine or points deduction is the more likely scenario 

Edited September 14, 2025 by YorkshireBlue

[mkh 760]

Bayern Munich inquired on deadline day about Sterling when they were in negotiations with Chelsea over Jackson. Napoli were also interested.

For reasons that are not clear, Sterling seemed reluctant to move overseas, or potentially even away from London.

Manchester United were interested in the summer of last year and got little encouragement from the player.

(@SamWallaceTel)