Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole believes Chelsea could beat Manchester United and Liverpool to the signing of England midfielder Adam Wharton.

Wharton, 21, has risen rapidly at Crystal Palace since his £22 million move from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024. He played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories and was instrumental during their club-record 19-game unbeaten run.

Reports suggest Manchester United are keen to bring Wharton to Old Trafford for around £60 million to strengthen their midfield. Ruben Amorim is also said to be a fan of the England international, who made his national team debut last year and was part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.

Cole believes Chelsea are best placed to secure Wharton’s signature:

“They’re going for all the top young players, Chelsea aren’t they? Moises Caicedo is a top player, but adding Adam Wharton alongside Enzo Fernandez would create a formidable midfield. That’s a very hard midfield to get by, and going forward, they’ve got the lot.

“They probably need an extra pair of legs to bolster the midfield, especially with the Champions League and so many domestic games. They could support that with a top-quality player from the English squad. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wharton went to Chelsea—they’d see him as an asset.”

Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish addressed the speculation:

“Adam is an extraordinary talent. Right now, he’s focused on his time at Crystal Palace, being a regular, and getting into the England squad. If United are interested, that’s nothing surprising—he has a long contract, and there’s no pressure to move.”

For now, Wharton remains focused on helping Crystal Palace and continuing his rise as one of England’s brightest young midfielders, while clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool monitor his progress.