Chelsea tracking Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson | OneFootball

Chelsea are understood to be tracking Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as the Blues look to bolster their engine room, according to the Daily Mail.

Lauded by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and as an elite player, he is attracting keen interest in the market.

Chelsea could use a midfielder who can seamlessly transition between defensive midfield and central midfield roles.

New manager Liam Rosenior is using a three-man midfield of Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez, but outside those options, he needs a deeper squad.

Romeo Lavia has been persistently injured, and Dario Essugo has also endured a season filled with setbacks.

The Blues need another midfielder to bolster the roster, and Anderson fits the bill.

However, Chelsea are not alone in the race for his signature, with Newcastle United, Manchester United and Manchester City also pursuing a deal for the 23-year-old.

Forest are also poised to demand upwards of £80 million for his signature, making any deal difficult to complete.

If Chelsea are serious about mounting a genuine Premier League title challenge next season, Anderson is exactly the calibre of signing they must prioritise.

The England international is no raw project or speculative punt.

Anderson is already a hardened top-flight performer who understands the tempo, intensity, and tactical demands of English football.

He would not need two seasons of adaptation or careful shielding. He would arrive ready to contribute immediately.

Too often in recent windows, Chelsea have leaned toward youthful potential over proven pedigree.

That strategy has its merits, but title races are not won on promise alone. They are won with depth, reliability, and players who can deliver from day one.

If the Blues bypass Anderson in favour of another long-term project to plug the gap, it would signal that they are not truly ready to compete for the crown.