Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly no longer keen on Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the January transfer window.
However, according to the Daily Star, Joao Palhinha was a target for Chelsea but their interest in him has cooled because of Mauricio Pochettino‘s reluctance to sign another midfielder.
It means Manchester City could have one less team to worry about, with the same outlet claiming that the Premier League champions are planning to make a £50m swoop for Palhinha.
He has been a key player for Fulham since arriving there from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
Midfield does not need to be a priority for Chelsea
Looking at Chelsea’s squad, it is not crying out for a new midfielder.
It was during the summer after they lost the likes of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, but they were eventually replaced by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
The latter, who former Liverpool player Don Hutchison has suggested was a panic buy, is yet to kick a ball for Chelsea because of injury. But once he is fully fit again, Pochettino will have a really good crop of midfielders, with the Argentine also having Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher at his disposal.
If Chelsea do decide that they want to sign a new man for the engine room next month, though, then Palhinha is a name they seriously have to consider.
The Portugal international continues to thrive in the Premier League. He is currently making 5.4 tackles per game, which is the highest average in the top flight (WhoScored).
It is really no surprise, then, that Palhinha is being linked to so many top clubs like Chelsea and City. Whoever signs him will undoubtedly be getting an amazing midfielder.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
