Chelsea Turn Down Signing Of Free Agent Despite Midfield Concerns

After missing out on AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara in agonising fashion on deadline day, Chelsea have been looking for solutions. With Manchester City finalising the signing of Enzo Fernández for a joint-British-record fee of £125 million, the Blues had been on the hunt for weeks for an ideal replacement. Amid interest in the likes of Alex Scott, Adam Wharton and Manu Koné, in addition to Camara, it is understood that club captain Reece James is expected to slot into midfield, bolstering Xabi Alonso's options. Replacing Enzo Fernández was always going to be a difficult task, and it seems the Chelsea hierarchy have dug deep to find possible options. According to Foot Mercato, the Blues have held an interest in former Benfica, Bayern Munich, Lille and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Renato Sanches. However, after that interest, Chelsea have decided to go no further, instead placing their confidence in the current squad. The 29-year-old was touted as a potential future star at the start of his senior career, attracting the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs. However, a variety of questionable career choices, as well as injuries, have seen him become available on the free-agent market. Most recently, the former Portugal international had been at European champions PSG, but after making just 23 appearances and enduring three different loan spells elsewhere, his contract was terminated just days before the transfer window closed. Concerns continue to surround the possible options Alonso has at his disposal in the centre of the park. During the second half of the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Romeo Lavia was withdrawn, and Malo Gusto, naturally a right-back, was once again trusted in midfield. With star man Moisés Caicedo continuing to be sidelined following a knock picked up in the 4-3 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on August 30, the midfield options at Stamford Bridge appear to be the weakest they have been for some time. New signing Valentín Barco was an unused substitute at the Emirates Stadium. Reece James was once again deployed in midfield, and the new boss was asked by Chelsea's in-house media team what he made of the captain's performance. He said: "He's an inspiration for the rest and he played a complete game today and he was having a great communication and great push for the rest and we are happy that Reece is in this momentum." With Leeds United up next in the Carabao Cup and Hull City in the Premier League, Alonso may look to 16-year-old academy stars Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli if the midfield needs addressing urgently. Both players are known to the coaching staff within the senior team following their heavy involvement in Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.