Chelsea’s focus is beginning to shift in several directions at once, and Newcastle United now find themselves firmly in the spotlight. With major changes unfolding behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge, the London club are believed to be taking a serious look at one of Newcastle’s most valuable players, while also dealing with growing concerns about their midfield depth and the future direction of the team under a new manager.
Everything changed for Chelsea on New Year’s Day when Enzo Maresca’s time at the club came to an abrupt and unexpected end. The departure caught many by surprise and immediately triggered speculation about who would step in next.
While several high-profile names were mentioned, it quickly became clear that Chelsea’s ownership group, BlueCo, had a very specific plan in mind. Rather than turning to an established superstar manager, they are pushing ahead with a familiar and trusted option from within their own football network.
That man is Liam Rosenior. Talks are understood to be well advanced, and he is widely viewed as the overwhelming favourite to replace Maresca. Rosenior has built a strong reputation for developing young players and creating a clear playing identity, something Chelsea’s hierarchy value highly as they continue to reshape the club.
His work at Strasbourg has not gone unnoticed, especially his ability to improve players who had previously struggled to find consistency elsewhere.
However, the delay in making the appointment official has raised questions. According to Fabrizio Romano, the reason is fairly straightforward. Chelsea and Strasbourg share the same ownership, and BlueCo want to ensure that Strasbourg are left in safe hands before Rosenior is allowed to move on.
They are actively searching for a high-quality replacement who fits the same long-term vision, rather than making a quick or short-term decision. Only once that is resolved will Rosenior be given the green light to complete his move to Stamford Bridge.
While managerial matters are being finalised, Chelsea are also looking closely at their squad, and midfield has emerged as a major area of concern. Roméo Lavia’s ongoing injury problems have caused real frustration, and there is growing worry about relying so heavily on Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo.
Both players have been pushed hard this season, and the lack of reliable depth behind them has become increasingly obvious.
That concern has reportedly led Chelsea to explore proven options, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is now firmly on their radar. The Italian has been a key part of Eddie Howe’s side, starting the majority of Newcastle’s Premier League matches and playing an important role in their structure and tempo.
Chelsea see him as a player who could bring balance, control and experience to their midfield, especially in high-pressure situations.
Any move for Tonali would not be straightforward. Newcastle consider him one of their most important assets, both on and off the pitch. He is deeply valued by the club, not least because they stood by him during a difficult period of suspension and supported him through his return to football. That loyalty works both ways, and Newcastle are expected to demand a truly massive fee if Chelsea want to open serious talks.
Reports suggest that Newcastle would look for figures similar to what they expect for Alexander Isak, meaning a price well above £130 million. That would immediately make Tonali one of the most expensive midfielders in football. The question, then, is whether Chelsea would be prepared to go anywhere near that level of spending, especially given how much they have already invested in Fernández and Caicedo since BlueCo took control.
There is also the issue of age and profile. While Tonali is still young in football terms, he does not quite fit Chelsea’s usual recruitment pattern under their current ownership, which has focused heavily on younger, high-upside talents. Signing Tonali would represent a shift toward a more established, ready-made player, and that would signal a potential change in strategy.
Another layer of doubt comes from Eddie Howe’s own recent comments. While he remains full of praise for Tonali’s quality and influence, he has openly admitted that the midfielder has not quite reached the same heights this season as he did during his initial comeback period. Howe described how Tonali’s return last year felt like a new signing, injecting energy and drive into the team. This season, however, that level has been harder to maintain consistently, even though flashes of brilliance are still there.
That honesty does not diminish Tonali’s value, but it does raise questions about whether Chelsea would be willing to pay a record-breaking fee for a player who is still searching for peak consistency. From Newcastle’s perspective, there is no urgency to sell. They remain competitive on multiple fronts and see Tonali as central to their ambitions moving forward.
For Chelsea, the situation reflects a club at a crossroads. They are close to appointing a new manager who is known for developing talent and building long-term projects, while also considering a bold, expensive move for an established Premier League midfielder. Whether those two paths truly align remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Newcastle are under no pressure, and any attempt to prise Tonali away would require serious intent, serious money and a compelling sporting vision. As Chelsea continue to sort out their leadership and long-term plan, this potential transfer stands as a test of how far they are willing to go to fix their current problems and reshape the future of the club.
