Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole believes his old club have a real chance of beating the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United to the signing of Adam Wharton next summer.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been a sensation since signing for Crystal Palace in February 2024. His performances have attracted reported interest from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs. Chelsea are among the clubs linked to a move for Wharton, with some reports claiming the Blues are expected to be in the race for the England international next summer.

However, Chelsea could face stern competition from the likes of Liverpool, who are reportedly looking for more depth in their midfield, and Man United, with that area of the pitch being a problem for Ruben Amorim. Enzo Maresca already has Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez to choose from in the centre of midfield, but the backup options have raised a few questions.

Romeo Lavia, while being significant to the Chelsea setup when available, has struggled massively with consistent injury problems since signing for the club....