Chelsea are set to be one of the busiest clubs during this summer's transfer window with multiple departures and new arrivals expected.
After announcing Xabi Alonso will take charge from the start of next month, BlueCo will look to bring in experienced, and proven, players.
With midfield a high priority area, at least one quality addition is expected, and even more so if Enzo Fernandez leaves.
Consequently, one player on the Blues' shortlist is believed to be Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.
Chelsea told which player will be perfect partner for Moises Caicedo
Wharton has enjoyed a meteoric rise since he made his first appearance for the Eagles at the start of 2024.
Widely regarded as one of the Premier League's best central midfielders, seeing the 22-year-old linked with a big move is far from surprising, and Andy Townsend believes Chelsea should put themselves front of the queue.
Speaking to OLBG, as quoted by Football London, Townsend said: "I could see a Moises Caicedo and Adam Wharton axis as the future of Chelsea. If that's the way that Xabi Alonso wants to do it, whether it's a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, then I could absolutely see that working.
"I think Adam Wharton is a very classy player. [...] Whenever I watch him play, he always seemingly has his next pass ready, as soon as the ball comes to him, he knows what he's doing."
Despite having a hugely successful season, Wharton was surprisingly not named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's 2026 World Cup, and Townsend thinks his exile could make him question his future at Selhurst Park.
He added: "Missing out on the England squad may act as a little bit of an incentive to feel that it's time to move on. Palace have just enjoyed some success and on the back of that, it would make perfect sense for him to move.
"I think his left foot alongside Caicedo could absolutely work at a place like Chelsea. He is a talented player. In this era of players who are physical specimens, it's nice to see someone who can do a bit of that but also has an elegance about his game. Adam Wharton has that. [...] He plays in a very similar way. I think he’d suit Chelsea."
During his first 18 months at Selhurst Park, Wharton, who has three years left on his contract, has directly contributed to 14 goals in 96 matches in all competitions. He was part of the Crystal Palace squad that lifted the 2024-25 FA Cup and 2025-26 UEFA Conference League.
Add us as a preferred source on Google