Chelsea's decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as manager has been the driving force behind their surprising links to Liverpool's Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz joined the Reds at the start of last season for a whopping £116 million, but his rise and price tag was largely due to Xabi Alonso's influence.
The 44-year-old worked with Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen with the pair enjoying massive success lifting three major honours, including going unbeaten en route to the 2023-24 Bundesliga.
And although the 23-year-old didn't have the best of starts at Anfield last season, he finished the campaign with seven goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
Former Liverpool forward tells Florian Wirtz to reunite with Xabi Alonso
The young German's improved form at the end of the campaign offered a glimpse into what he's capable of, and former Liverpool forward Fernando Morientes thinks joining Chelsea would help him reach his best.
"Would Florian Wirtz consider a reunion with Xabi Alonso at Chelsea?," he said to the Liverpool Echo.
"He hasn't found his level in his first season, and I think what he needs is a change of scenery to get back to his best.
He continued: "I think he himself probably realises he's not quite in the right context, and Xabi Alonso's interest is very interesting for that reason. Why? Because Alonso got performances out of him before, he understands him, he can build a team designed around him too.
"What could Liverpool ask for him? They'll say at least what he cost, but I don't think anyone's going to pay that. If he'd shown he was at that level, sure, but with a bit less, maybe 25, 30, even 35% per cent less, I could see them asking for that, because he's a great player.
"But I don't know if Chelsea would be willing to pay that much. So it depends on Liverpool: whether they want to try to get performances out of him, which maybe they won't manage, or let him go and let the lad be happy somewhere else."
No chance Wirtz comes to Chelsea
Despite Morientes' reasoning, it is ridiculous to suggest Wirtz would ditch Liverpool in favour of Chelsea, regardless of Alonso.
After finishing 10th in the table and missing out on all European football next season, the Blues have very little to offer.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be in the UEFA Champions League next time out and are much better placed to give Wirtz the platform to perform.
The 23-year-old has four years left on his £250,000-per week Liverpool contract.
Add us as a preferred source on Google