Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has been urged to sign England midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of Manchester United.
Alonso, 44, takes charge at Stamford Bridge in July after being appointed as Chelsea’s new manager on a four-year contract.
The Blues turned to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder after sacking Liam Rosenior, who lasted just 106 days in the job.
Alonso takes over a Chelsea side who finished just 10th in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for the Champions League or win any silverware just months after their Club World Cup triumph.
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The former Spain World Cup winner will hope to bring some of his own signings to west London this summer while also sanctioning exits for a number of unwanted players from a bloated and underperforming squad.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend has recommended a move for Wharton, insisting the Crystal Palace star can form part of the ‘future’ of the club’s midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
Wharton has been strongly linked with a summer move following another impressive season at Selhurst Park, emerging as a target for Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester United.
‘I could see a Moises Caicedo and Adam Wharton axis as the future of Chelsea,’ Townsend, who made over 100 appearances for the Blues, told OLBG.
‘If that’s the way that Xabi Alonso wants to do it, whether it’s a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, then I could absolutely see that working.
‘I think Adam Wharton is a very classy player. He reminds me of Michael Carrick, the way Carrick used to play at Manchester United, he always looked like he had a bit of time on the ball.
‘He wasn’t the quickest, and you think people would be able to get him and close him down, but that rarely happened. I think Adam Wharton is similar.
‘Whenever I watch him play, he always seemingly has his next pass ready, as soon as the ball comes to him, he knows what he’s doing.
‘Missing out on the England squad may act as a little bit of an incentive to feel that it’s time to move on. Palace have just enjoyed some success and on the back of that, it would make perfect sense for him to move.
Xabi Alonso on Chelsea appointment
‘Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
‘From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition.
‘We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
‘There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.’
‘I think his left foot alongside Caicedo could absolutely work at a place like Chelsea. He is a talented player.
‘In this era of players who are physical specimens, it’s nice to see someone who can do a bit of that but also has an elegance about his game. Adam Wharton has that.
‘As I said, I think the nearest comparison I could make would be to someone like Michael Carrick, he plays in a very similar way. I think he’d suit Chelsea.’
Wharton is valued at around £80m by Crystal Palace, who clinched their first European trophy last season, winning the Conference League.
Manchester United have placed Wharton on their shortlist of summer targets as they look to bolster Michael Carrick’s midfield options.
But Chelsea have previously been linked with a move and could revive their interest if Enzo Fernandez gets his wish and leaves Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez is keen to secure a move away from Chelsea and is said to be a target for Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Blues would want around £120m to part ways with the Argentine.
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