Better than Wharton: Chelsea identify new elite midfield target

Chelsea are interested in Athletic Club midfielder Mikel Jauregizar, according to Spanish media.

The 21-year-old has already made more than half a century of senior appearances for his boyhood club. Jauregizar established himself as a regular starter last season and has been going from strength to strength since.

In late May, the Spain U21 international was handed a bumper new contract by Athletic Club. Intriguingly, Jauregizar agreed to waive the customary release clause to show his commitment to the Basque outfit.

Usually, players are required to have a release clause in Spain, but Jauregizar became the latest Athletic Club star to surrender this privilege. Goalkeeper Unai Simon had done the same the year before.

“It’s the club of my life and where I always want to play,” the midfielder explained his decision. “I’m very happy here. I want to make my career at Athletic. What I feel when I put on the shirt, when I enter San Mames, I won’t feel anywhere else.”

Chelsea interest in Jauregizar

Such a comment would generally put to bed any transfer speculation, but Chelsea are seemingly ready to test Jauregizar’s commitment to the Bilbao side.

According to Fichajes, the 21-year-old has been identified by the Blues as a potential alternative to Adam Wharton and Eduardo Camavinga.

Data analytics firm SciSports rate Jauregizar as having higher potential than Wharton, although Camavinga beats the pair of them by quite some distance. Whether the latter can be prised away from Real Madrid is a different question, of course.

Chelsea are in the market for a new midfielder due to the constant injury problems Romeo Lavia has been dealing with since joining the club in 2023. Jauregizar would be an elite replacement, but convincing him to leave his boyhood club could prove to be a fruitless endeavour.

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