Chelsea interested in signing out-of-favour Premier League star who has previously worked under Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca. (REUTERS)

Chelsea’s frustrating inconsistency continued on Saturday as they slipped to a 2–1 home defeat against an in-form Aston Villa side, who extended their winning run across all competitions to 11 matches.

The Blues initially looked on course for a vital result after João Pedro fired them ahead at Stamford Bridge, but a second-half brace from substitute Ollie Watkins turned the game on its head and dealt another blow to Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-four finish.

With victories proving harder to come by in recent weeks, attention is already beginning to turn towards January — and Chelsea appear to have identified a potential reinforcement.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder James McAtee, with the 23-year-old emerging as a possible January opportunity, according to the Mail Online.

Despite joining Forest in the summer in a deal that could rise to £30 million, McAtee has struggled to establish himself, logging just 149 Premier League minutes and making only one start so far this season.

That lack of involvement has fuelled speculation around his future, and Chelsea are understood to be among several clubs monitoring his situation closely.

Enzo Maresca is believed to be a long-time admirer of McAtee, having previously worked with him during his spell on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City. That prior relationship has helped keep the Forest midfielder on Chelsea’s radar as they scan the market for creative options.

While the Blues are not short of attacking midfielders, McAtee’s familiarity with Maresca’s methods and his Premier League experience make him an intriguing option should the club decide to act.

Leeds United, Fulham, Sunderland and Bournemouth are also tracking his progress, with some clubs potentially favouring a loan move if Forest are open to negotiations.

For now, Chelsea’s interest remains exploratory, but with January approaching and McAtee struggling for minutes, a move away from the City Ground could yet gather momentum.

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.