“I’d say go all day long…”: Chelsea urged to “go and get” midfield outcast who could be a “superstar” for the Blues

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. (REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli)

Chelsea’s season has become increasingly difficult to gauge.

Just a fortnight ago, Enzo Maresca’s side looked every inch a title challenger — holding league leaders Arsenal to a composed 1–1 draw and dismantling Barcelona 3–0 in the Champions League. They sat second in the Premier League and were playing with confidence, fluidity and control.

But the momentum has evaporated almost overnight.

A poor 3–1 defeat to newly promoted Leeds was followed by a frustrating 0–0 stalemate with Bournemouth, and this week’s 2–1 loss to Atalanta in Europe has stretched their winless run to four matches in all competitions.

It’s far from a crisis, but it’s clear the squad needs fresh energy ahead of a gruelling second half of the season. And now, two Manchester United legends believe Chelsea should pursue one out-of-favour talent in particular.

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have publicly encouraged Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to consider a move to Stamford Bridge — and have urged Chelsea to seize the opportunity if it arises.

Mainoo was once viewed as one of United’s crown jewels, breaking into the first team last season and shining at Euro 2024 with England after a string of standout performances.

But under Ruben Amorim, things have changed drastically. The 20-year-old has yet to start a Premier League match this campaign and has slipped well down the midfield hierarchy.

Reports suggest the young midfielder is now pushing for a January exit as he grows increasingly frustrated with a lack of opportunities, with Amorim seemingly unconvinced by him.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said he would actively encourage Mainoo to accept a move to Chelsea if the chance arises.

“Do you know what? You’d have to advise him to go [to Chelsea], wouldn’t you?” Scholes admitted. “If he rang me and said, ‘look, Chelsea are interested, what do you think?’ I’d say go all day long.”

Nicky Butt echoed those thoughts, insisting Mainoo’s career cannot afford to stagnate any further.

“For his football career he has to leave United, he’s lost 18 months of development. I hope he goes abroad because it’s embarrassing if he goes to Chelsea, which could happen,” Butt said.

“They might go and get him because they are putting together a very good, young squad and keep buying young players. He could quite easily end up at Chelsea next season.”

A move remains speculative for now, but with Chelsea’s ongoing push to strengthen their youthful core, and Mainoo increasingly desperate for minutes, this is a rumour that won’t be going away any time soon.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.