Chelsea midfielder attracting interest from London rival

Chelsea welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 

The Blues will once again begin the campaign with a new manager in charge following the appointment of Enzo Maresca as head coach after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure earlier this summer.

After a sixth-placed finish last term, Maresca will hope to see his side begin challenging once again for Champions League qualification.

The West London side have been one of the Premier League’s busiest clubs in the transfer market so far this summer, with no fewer than eight new players arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Now, though, it appears that one of their players is attracting interest from a London rival.

According to The South London Press, Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.

The report claims that the Eagles are monitoring the Englishman’s future following the influx of new players at Stamford Bridge.

Chukwuemeka, 20, joined the Blues from Aston Villa for a fee of £20 million in 2022, and has since made 27 appearances for the club across all competitions.

The midfielder has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge, in part due to a number of injury problems.

The report claims that, if Chelsea do decide to make Chukwuemeka available for sale, Palace will make a move to sign the youngster.

He is currently contracted to the Blues until the end of the 2027/28 season, but the London side may have to sell players before the end of the current window in order to adhere to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

It is claimed that the player has a £40 million release clause in his current deal with the Blues.

Chukwuemeka’s versatility may appeal to the Eagles, with the Englishman able to play in a number of positions including as a central midfielder and on the left flank.