By OkayGoal
Chelsea could move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton if they end up losing Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City this summer, according to a recent report from journalist Simon Phillips on Substack, with the Blues understood to be long-term admirers of the English talent.
It is understood Chelsea could launch a formal move for Wharton this month depending on how the Fernandez situation develops, with the club having tracked his progress at Selhurst Park for some time.
Adam Wharton’s impressive season for Crystal Palace
Wharton enjoyed a strong run of form in the previous campaign, putting in a series of impressive displays in the middle of the park for Crystal Palace. The English midfielder featured in 53 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing seven assists. At 22, he is already considered one of the most talented central midfielders in the Premier League, which explains why Chelsea are reportedly keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge this window.
His current contract at Selhurst Park runs until the summer of 2029, meaning any deal is unlikely to come cheap, and Chelsea would need to meet a significant valuation given Palace’s strong negotiating position on a player with four years still remaining on his terms.
What Adam Wharton would bring to Chelsea’s midfield
Wharton loves a tackle and reads danger well, allowing him to win possession back for his side in the middle of the pitch. He is comfortable putting his foot through the ball when required and is also a genuinely good passer from deep midfield positions. Beyond his defensive contribution, he can chip in with a handful of important goals and assists across a season.
Primarily a holding midfielder, Wharton has also shown he can operate as more of a box-to-box option when needed. He already has enough Premier League experience that adapting to life at Chelsea should not take long. His arrival would add both quality and depth to Xabi Alonso’s midfield department, and he looks capable of nailing down a regular first-team spot at Stamford Bridge next season.
At 22, Wharton has a genuinely bright future ahead of him and looks good enough to help Chelsea return to challenging for a top-four finish over the coming years. On that basis, Alonso may well feel it is worth trying everything possible to bring him to the club before the transfer window closes.