Chelsea are reportedly not giving up hope of signing a Premier League youngster despite failing in their attempt to get him in the January transfer window.
If you look at the current Chelsea squad, it’s fairly obvious what the club’s strategy is. There has been a significant shift in mainly signing young talents with huge potential under this Blues ownership.
The belief is that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is ‘very happy’ with his squad that he’s guiding this season.
However, we think that the group is crying out for one or two more experienced figures, especially running through the spine of the starting XI.

Chelsea keep Premier League youngster on their radar
Manchester City talent Nico O’Reilly, 19, was linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge during the winter window.
Man City knocked back Chelsea’s enquiry for O’Reilly during the final stages of the January transfer window. Instead, the Blues signed 19-year-old midfielder Mathis Amougou from Saint-Etienne on deadline day.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed via X that Chelsea tried and failed to sign Man City midfielder O’Reilly at the start of the month.
Apparently, Enzo Maresca’s side will continue to monitor the teenager because they think he has ‘big potential’.
Romano said via his YouTube channel: “Let me clarify something on Nico O’Reilly… In the January window, I told you Chelsea wanted him. I can guarantee that Chelsea will keep following the player. They believe Nico O’Reilly has big talent, big potential.
“They wanted to invest, according to my information, around £20-25m on Nico O’Reilly to sign the player immediately from Manchester City… City always said buy-back clause, matching rights, or nothing. For Man City to keep control of the player was absolutely crucial. There was no chance to agree on terms… Nico O’Reilly remains a player on Chelsea’s radar.”
O’Reilly, who’s a product of the Man City academy, has played six first-team games already this season. This included his Premier League debut in last month’s 6-0 away win at Ipswich Town.
The Englishman, who’s an attacking midfielder by trade, has shown his versatility by playing a number of different positions for Pep Guardiola’s side already.
If he can’t get regular football at the Etihad Stadium, let’s see if Chelsea can tempt him away in 2025, something they previously did with Cole Palmer.
Incidentally, Chelsea discussed Man City’s James McAtee as a late January target, but nothing ever materialised from that.

Chelsea must not forget about their own academy
While Man City’s academy is clearly one of the very best in the country right now, Chelsea’s youth system has been elite for several decades now as well.
It’s so important the Blues continue to promote from within because they’ve got so many talented youngsters on their books. They may already have their own version of O’Reilly at the club with someone like Kiano Dyer or Samuel Rak-Sakyi.
Harvey Vale joined QPR on a permanent basis this month to end a long association with Chelsea, and hopefully it’s not something that the club regrets further down the line.
The encouraging news is that both Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have been promoted to the Blues first-team squad from the academy already this season.
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