Football
Exclusive: New Boss Liam Rosenior Pushes Chelsea to Move for Crystal Palace Star Adam Wharton
New Chelsea Boss Liam Rosenior is keen on signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, known for his ball-winning and distribution skills. Chelsea's hierarchy is considering the move to provide depth and tactical flexibility. However, Palace's reluctance to sell and Guehi's uncertain future may complicate a potential deal. Wharton is open to the move to further his career ahead of the World Cup.
Press Conference Held By Strasbourg's British Head Coach Liam Rosenior by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, will urge Stamford Bridge’s hierarchy to try and prise Adam Wharton away from Crystal Palace either now or during the summer transfer window, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The 41-year-old was appointed as Enzo Maresca’s permanent successor this week following an impressive spell in charge of The Blues’ sister club Strasbourg.
And, during preliminary conversations about the club’s recruitment strategy moving forward, he is understood to have urged sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart to consider adding Wharton’s name to their list of potential acquisitions.
Previously of Blackburn Rovers, the young midfielder has excelled since heading to Selhurst Park 23 months ago with Real Madrid known to be among his army of admirers.
But Rosenior has identified Wharton as being as perfect fit for his tactical approach and system which, given its emphasis on dominating possession, requires someone capable of both winning and then distributing the ball at its core.
SportsBoom reported back in November that Crystal Palace were preparing a bumper new deal to keep Adam Wharton at Selhurst Park beyond his 2029 expiring contract and fend off interest from clubs like Manchester United. With no agreement yet signed, it suggests the England international may be weighing his next career move.
ATTRACTED INTEREST
Although Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who have also both attracted interest from the Spanish giants, already excel in that role for Chelsea, their busy schedule and lack of proven back-up has often required the duo are selected despite carrying niggling injuries.
Capturing Wharton would not only ease the workload on the pair’s shoulders but enable Rosenior to make in-game changes to keep his team fresh without being forced to change approach.
Palace are reluctant to sell the England international, particularly when Mark Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park is in serious doubt.
Rosenior and The Blues’ hierarchy acknowledge that could complicate a swoop during the winter window. Likewise, Wharton has no desire to force an early exit from The Eagles.
But, as he attempts to cement a place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans ahead of next summer’s World Cup, the prospect of joining one of the country’s biggest names could prove too tempting for him to resist should Rosenior’s powers of persuasion win over Chelsea’s hierarchy.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.