Report: Chelsea ready to join the race to sign La Liga midfielder | OneFootball

Chelsea join race for Mendoza amid Premier League pursuit

Chelsea have emerged as serious contenders in the chase for Elche midfielder Mendoza, following new reporting from TeamTalk that expands on long standing speculation surrounding his future.

Mendoza, described as “a product of Elche’s youth academy, embodies the modern box to box dynamo: relentless pressing, pinpoint vision, and a thunderous right foot that has drawn inevitable comparisons to a young Sergio Busquets with the flair of Pedri”, has already attracted exploratory talks from Arsenal. However, attention is widening quickly.

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Maresca evaluation underway

Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca’s pragmatic rebuild, see Mendoza as a versatile shield for their backline, complementing Moises Caicedo’s tenacity. Recruitment staff view him as a long term midfield balancing piece, capable of progressing possession while offering defensive coverage across both central roles.

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Sources close to the negotiations have made clear the competition is intensifying. “It’s a four-horse race,” one source close to the player’s representatives exclusively told TEAMtalk, “Everyone is talking about Arsenal, but we have been contacted by multiple Premier League sides.”

Premier League rivals circling

Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, are keen on Mendoza’s progressive passing, while Manchester City see him as a rotation option within Pep Guardiola’s midfield unit, particularly amid ongoing injury setbacks.

Chelsea’s interest reflects a targeted approach from Maresca, focusing on players who combine athletic pressing with positional discipline. Mendoza fits those criteria neatly, offering flexibility that could prove invaluable across domestic and European campaigns.

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While Arsenal remain active, Chelsea’s growing involvement adds genuine intrigue to negotiations ahead of the winter window. The race remains open, and Stamford Bridge may yet present a compelling destination for the highly rated Spaniard.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

Mendoza feels like the exact kind of signing Chelsea should be pursuing. Maresca needs midfield players who can both protect the defence and keep the tempo fluent, rather than pure specialists. Pairing Mendoza with Caicedo would give the side bite and balance, allowing Enzo Fernandez greater creative freedom higher up the pitch.

Supporters have watched Chelsea struggle for midfield control in big matches this season, particularly when transitions become stretched. A player described as a “modern box to box dynamo” ticks a lot of those missing boxes, offering intensity as well as technical calm.

There is also a desire among fans for smarter, less bloated recruitment following several scattergun windows. Mendoza represents the profile Chelsea should be targeting, emerging talent rather than inflated superstardom. Beating Arsenal, City, and Spurs to a player with this trajectory would send a positive signal that the club’s rebuild is becoming sharper and more purposeful.

Ultimately, Chelsea supporters would back this move, seeing it as both practical squad building and a statement of intent that Maresca’s vision is gaining clarity and direction.