Chelsea Football Club are reportedly keeping tabs on former Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, following developments that have piqued the interest of several clubs, the Blues included.
Currently navigating a challenging Premier League campaign, Chelsea find themselves in fifth position after 18 matches. Their recent clash with Aston Villa saw them slip behind the Villans in a 2-1 defeat, shedding light on the frailties within their midfield contingent, exacerbated by injuries.
Whilst Chelsea have expressed an intent to bolster their squad during the upcoming summer transfer window, immediate solutions are being explored. The Daily Mail has identified Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton as potential targets, with the London club also monitoring Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee.
Despite his transfer from Manchester City to Nottingham Forest this past summer, McAtee has struggled to cement his position in the starting lineup, accumulating a mere 149 Premier League minutes from the bench. His circumstances have rung alarm bells across interested clubs, with Chelsea reportedly evaluating his potential move.
Current Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who oversaw McAtee’s impressive performances in Manchester City’s under-23 set-up, is an avowed fan of the player’s potential. McAtee thrived under Maresca’s tutelage, notching eight goals and 12 assists in 26 appearances, alongside future Chelsea teammates Cole Palmer and Liam Delap, suggesting a seamless transition should he don the Blues’ colours.
Nevertheless, Chelsea face competition from several sides for McAtee’s signature. In the domestic arena, Leeds have joined the race, whilst Bournemouth, Fulham, and Sunderland are also exploring loan opportunities. On the continental stage, clubs including Stuttgart, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Porto, and PSV Eindhoven are reportedly in the fray.
Whether Nottingham Forest are inclined towards a permanent departure for McAtee remains uncertain. However, given his limited first-team exposure, a loan could prove mutually beneficial. The situation warrants careful consideration by Forest, as the January transfer window looms.
In related news, Chelsea are set to conduct an internal review following an incident in their match against Villa, as tensions rise and manager Enzo Maresca elucidates Cole Palmer’s reaction.