Chelsea have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring one of today’s most dynamic midfield talents, armed with a secret asset to aid their pursuit.
Navigating the 2025/26 Premier League season under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea find themselves in a promising position. Currently sitting seventh after ten matches, they trail second-placed Manchester City by a mere two points. Notably, only City has outscored Chelsea’s 18-goal tally thus far.
Seeking to bolster their ranks with an adept attacking midfielder, Chelsea are said to have approached Como regarding the acquisition of Argentine standout, Nico Paz. With an impressive tally of four goals and as many assists this season, Paz is considered one of the globe’s most in-form midfielders.
Despite Chelsea’s clear interest, a significant obstacle looms in the form of Real Madrid’s buyback clause—set at €10million (£8.8m)—intended to secure the player’s return. Paz, a Real Madrid academy graduate, ostensibly aims to confirm his prowess with the Spanish giants, rendering Chelsea apprehensive about the futility of their efforts.
However, Chelsea’s ace up the sleeve lies in their own Alejandro Garnacho, with whom Paz shares a connection. The duo have previously combined forces in Argentina’s under-20 set-up, notching two wins out of three matches and a goal for Paz assisted by Garnacho.
Both players share common threads: born in Spain yet representing Argentina. Nevertheless, despite their camaraderie and shared roots, Paz’s ties to Real Madrid appear too compelling to ignore, especially given Madrid’s position atop La Liga and their clear intention to reintegrate him following his development tenure in Italy.
While the Blues may hope their Garnacho connection might sway Paz, the midfielder’s formative years at Real Madrid and the natural allure of returning to his boyhood club seem likely to remain influential factors in his decision-making process.