Chelsea F.C. are preparing to challenge Manchester United F.C. in the race to sign central midfielder’s Crystal Palace as uncertainty continues to grow around Enzo Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez has done little to quiet speculation in recent weeks, repeatedly refusing to commit to Chelsea after their heavy UEFA Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. After the defeat, the Argentina international admitted he was unsure if he would still be at the club next season, later adding that he would reassess his situation after the World Cup.

He has also hinted at a possible move to Spain, openly stating he would like to live in Madrid—fueling links with Real Madrid C.F., who are in the market for a new midfielder. The Spanish giants are believed to be weighing up moves for both Fernandez and Rodri.

Although Chelsea previously viewed Fernandez as untouchable following his £107 million move from S.L. Benfica in 2023, their stance has reportedly softened. The midfielder has remained a key figure, featuring consistently over the past two seasons, but his reluctance to commit long-term has opened the door to a potential sale.

As a result, Chelsea have begun exploring replacements, with Wharton emerging as a key target. The Crystal Palace F.C. midfielder is attracting widespread interest and is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming transfer window.

Manchester United have already made their interest clear, though reports suggest they may prioritise other options such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, potentially giving Chelsea an opening.

However, Chelsea could face a challenge in convincing Wharton if they fail to secure Champions League football. Liam Rosenior’s side have slipped to sixth in the league following a poor run of form, leaving them six points off the top four with just seven matches remaining.

There is also strong backing for a move to Old Trafford from former United defender Wes Brown, who believes Wharton would be an ideal fit. He praised the midfielder’s composure, athleticism and all-round ability, suggesting he could form a strong partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in United’s midfield.

With multiple top clubs circling and Chelsea weighing up a major decision on Fernandez, the battle for Wharton is shaping up to be one of the key transfer stories of the summer.

Gabby Agbonlahor has called for stricter rules to punish players who withdraw from international duty, suggesting they should be suspended for their next Premier League match.

The debate has intensified after a number of Arsenal F.C. players returned early from international camps citing injuries. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were among those who pulled out of England’s upcoming fixture, while Noni Madueke also withdrew after picking up a knock in the draw with Uruguay national football team.

England manager Thomas Tuchel defended the situation, insisting that Saka and Rice were genuinely injured, although he admitted the timing could raise eyebrows given Arsenal’s ongoing title push.

Agbonlahor, however, believes the growing trend of withdrawals is a concern and argued that stronger measures are needed to prevent players from prioritising club commitments over their countries. He made a distinction between genuine injuries—such as Madueke’s—and other cases he feels are less convincing.

He questioned the decisions of several players, including Piero Hincapié, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi, suggesting they had no obvious issues prior to the international break.

According to Agbonlahor, introducing a rule where players miss their next league game after withdrawing would act as a strong deterrent and quickly reduce the number of absences.

He also urged Harry Kane to take a leadership role on the issue, pointing to the striker’s previous comments about the importance of representing the national team. Agbonlahor stressed that playing for your country should remain a top priority and not be treated lightly.

While he acknowledged that managers like Mikel Arteta are under pressure to protect their players during crucial stages of the season, he maintained that frequent withdrawals risk undermining the value and pride associated with international football.

Arsenal’s injury concerns come at a critical moment in the title race, with the club holding a narrow lead over Manchester City F.C.. With just a handful of games remaining—including a potentially decisive clash at the Etihad—how clubs manage player fitness could prove pivotal in determining the destination of the title.

Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta should not be criticised for prioritising his players’ fitness during the title run-in, drawing comparisons with methods once used by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Arsenal F.C. are in a strong position to end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title, holding a nine-point lead over Manchester City F.C.. However, they still face a crucial trip to the Etihad, while also having played one game more than their closest rivals, who recently underlined their quality with a Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley.

The international break may have come at the right moment for Arteta, particularly with several key players withdrawing from national duty due to fitness concerns. While this has drawn criticism, Ferdinand suggested it is a calculated move aimed at keeping the squad fresh for the decisive final stretch of the season.

He argued that such an approach is not new, recalling how Ferguson would often urge his top players to limit their involvement with national teams in order to avoid injuries ahead of important club fixtures. According to Ferdinand, protecting key individuals during a title push is simply part of elite management.

Despite concerns over the number of Arsenal players pulling out of international duty, Ferdinand played down fears, suggesting most of them will be available for selection soon, with only a few likely to miss out. He believes the players themselves have bought into the idea of focusing fully on winning the league.

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel addressed the situation surrounding Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, whose withdrawals from the England national football team squad raised eyebrows.

Tuchel insisted both players were eager to feature and only returned to Arsenal after medical assessments confirmed the risk of aggravating their injuries was too high. He stressed that neither player showed any reluctance to represent their country, explaining that the decision was purely precautionary at this stage of the season.

The England boss acknowledged that the situation might appear suspicious given the number of Arsenal players pulling out, but made it clear he trusts the honesty of both Rice and Saka. He revealed that Rice, who is not yet fully fit, even attempted to train before reporting discomfort, while Saka worked in the gym to try and prove his readiness.

Tuchel maintained that, under different circumstances—such as at the end of the season—both players might have pushed through the issue. However, with major fixtures still ahead, avoiding further injury was the priority for both club and country.