Kobbie Mainoo is the latest name to be linked with a move to Chelsea. Reports on Tuesday broke out claiming Manchester United would consider selling the 19-year-old as they look to comply with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Mainoo in the Fernandez role
This season, we have seen Enzo Fernandez – for the most part – used high up the pitch, essentially as a No.10 alongside Cole Palmer. On paper, it looks as if it will be a Fernandez and Moises Caicedo double pivot for Chelsea but in possession, this usually changes.
Mainoo alongside Caicedo
One thing that Mainoo certainly gives you is legs in the middle of the pitch. While he has not performed at the same level this time around as he did last season, Mainoo was exceptional for the Red Devils in Sunday’s draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Mainoo, alongside Manuel Ugarte, covered so much distance on Merseyside and the legs in midfield were crucial for United picking up a surprise, but ultimately deserved, point in Liverpool. If Mainoo was to be used alongside Caicedo in the middle of the park, in a more conventional double pivot, then Chelsea would likely outrun any team in the Premier League.
Lavia alternative
There are several different ways Chelsea could set up with Mainoo in the team but ultimately, the United midfielder would give you an alternative to Lavia. While the 21-year-old midfielder gives so much to the Blues when he does play, he has unfortunately not featured anywhere near the amount the club – or he himself – would have envisaged when signing him for £58million from Southampton in the summer of 2023.
Chelsea have a really exciting midfield trio at the moment; whose combined transfer fees add up to around £280million give or take. From what we have seen this season, though, and throughout the 2023/24 campaign, Caicedo and Fernandez have been used far too much because there has not been adequate cover for the midfielders because of Lavia’s torrid injury luck.
Why the signing does make sense
And that, ultimately, is why Chelsea should go and do all they physically can to sign Mainoo, who was branded last season as a generational talent by a lot of people. The teenage sensation would offer the Blues more depth and more importantly, more quality in the middle of the pitch.
Mainoo’s current contract in Manchester runs to 2027 with the option of a further 12 months. Chelsea should be looking at doing all they can to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding someone that would definitely improve Enzo Maresca’s squad at Stamford Bridge.
