Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has admitted that he would be surprised if Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made the switch to Stamford Bridge.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital became Chelsea's new owners in May 2022, the Blues have been constantly active in the transfer market, targeting some of the world's top prospects and players with potential.
Last week, a report emerged that England international Mainoo could be the next starlet on Chelsea's radar, despite being regarded as a key player at Old Trafford.
With United in a position where they are unable to sign new players due to their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations, it has thrown up the possibility of a surprise sale in the short term.
Nevertheless, speaking to Sports Mole, Nevin - who spent five years with Chelsea between 1983 and 1988, winning two Player of the Year awards - has insisted that supporters should not be anticipating the arrival of the 19-year-old anytime soon.
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"The American Way"
As well as United seemingly actively pursuing a fresh contract for the academy graduate, Nevin is of the opinion that there are a wide array of similar players who will also be on Chelsea's radar.
Furthermore, the former Scottish playmaker feels that the club's recruitment team should be targeting other positions, such as central defence when Wesley Fofana faces an extended period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Nevin said: "I'd be surprised, I have to say. There are other positions that Chelsea need to strengthen. The centre-back situation hasn't quite been sorted out yet. So unless they want to move on [Romeo] Lavia and get him in his place, a bit of a like-for-like.
"Chelsea like to trade. They like it, they enjoy it. The new owners love that. It's the American way. And you may well lose players who you think, 'what's wrong with him? He was fine. He was doing a great job'.
"Doesn't matter - just trade. You may get something slightly better, his data might look better than his data, and they will, they'll keep on doing it, but I think the intelligent trading that has to be done now for Chelsea is slightly different from that.
"It's who you've got to move out - that's the important thing. They have got a lot of players. Now some of them may be only £10m or £15m or £20m, but you put two or three of them together, and suddenly you've got £40m, £50m, £60m, and you can afford to go for a Mainoo, you can afford to consider [Liam] Delap.
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'Chelsea's radar is like Heathrow's'
"I think the analogy a lot of people are using is, are these players on Chelsea's radar? Well, Chelsea's radar is like the radar at Heathrow. Everyone's on it! They're all flying about, and you've no idea which one's going to come in to land, and that's where it is just now.
"Will Chelsea make moves? Yeah. Would Kobbie Mainoo be a good one? Yeah. He fits with the age, etc, all that sort of stuff. Will it surprise me if he doesn't come and somebody else does come? No.
"That's just Chelsea, but if I was them, I'd be looking at the central defensive area. I think that's where you need to make sure you're covered."
Chelsea's winless streak in the Premier League was extended to five matches on Tuesday night as they scraped a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca's side are now at risk of losing their position in the top four of the top-flight table at a time when Nevin feels that Champions League qualification is crucial for the West Londoners.
Pat Nevin was talking to Sports Mole on behalf of talkSPORT BET
Darren Plant
