{"id":17615,"date":"2026-07-15T13:46:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17615"},"modified":"2026-07-15T13:46:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:46:01","slug":"chelsea-take-control-after-liverpool-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17615","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea take control after Liverpool decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-main\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--post-header--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"post-excerpt left\"><\/p>\n<p>Liverpool step back from Adam Wharton pursuit, leaving Chelsea as the clear frontrunner despite Palace\u2019s valuation stance.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120.webp\"\/><img width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120.webp\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-120.webp\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"1200\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"675\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--post-feat-img--><\/p>\n<section class=\"social-sharing-top\">\n<p><span class=\"fb-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Adam Wharton: Chelsea take control after Liverpool decision -&amp;url=https:\/\/sixsports.in\/adam-wharton-chelsea-take-control-after-liverpool-decision\/', 'twitterShare', 'width=626,height=436'); return false;\" title=\"Share This Post\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"twitter-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"whatsapp-but1\"><i class=\"fa fa-whatsapp fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"pinterest-but1\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-pinterest-p\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Share<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"email-but\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-2\"\/><\/span><span class=\"social-text\">Email<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--social-sharing-top--><\/p>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-card\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-top\">\n<div class=\"sx-entity-logo\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"CHELSEA\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chelsea_fc_logo-1.avif\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chelsea_fc_logo-1.avif\" alt=\"CHELSEA\"\/>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"sx-entity-description\">\n<p>            Chelsea is one of England\u2019s premier football clubs, competing in the Premier League and European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Known for its strong squad, tactical versatility, and competitive history, Chelsea has won multiple league titles, domestic cups,\u2026            <a class=\"sx-entity-readmore\" href=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/team\/chelsea\/\"><br \/>\n                Read More about CHELSEA\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chelsea\u2019s midfield search has taken an interesting turn now that Liverpool have stepped back from the race for Adam Wharton. As per the latest transfer news, Chelsea remain in talks with the Crystal Palace midfielder, while several rivals have quietly cooled their interest this summer.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-liverpool-cool-interest-in-adam-wharton\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liverpool cool interest in Adam Wharton<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As reported by<\/strong> CaughtOffside, a change in Liverpool\u2019s transfer plans has cooled their pursuit of Adam Wharton, despite being ready to pay over \u00a370 million back in June. Tottenham have also left the race. Their midfield budget is already spent, after a \u00a3185 million double deal for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. That leaves the <strong>Blues<\/strong> with a clearer run at the Crystal Palace midfielder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manchester United have also grown more hesitant, unwilling to match the fees now attached to players of this calibre. The \u00a3116 million benchmark, similar to what Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson, has already priced out several suitors, and Palace are reportedly pricing him in the same range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several of England\u2019s biggest-spending clubs have now stepped aside. That has changed the picture around the 22-year-old since the window opened. <strong>As reported by <\/strong>FootballTransfers, Chelsea are the only serious suitor still active in the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His rise from Blackburn Rovers to full recognition in English <strong>football<\/strong> has been rapid. His composure on the ball fits exactly what Xabi Alonso wants in midfield. That profile explains why interest has stayed strong, even as bigger names price themselves out of the running.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Adam Wharton for Crystal Palace in 2025\/26<\/strong>as per FOTMOB:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Competitions<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Matches<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Assists<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Duels Won<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Premier League<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">34<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">140<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>FA Cup<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>EFL Cup<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Conference League<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">16<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-crystal-palace-valuation-remains-the-sticking-point\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crystal Palace valuation remains the sticking point<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Money remains the central issue. Crystal Palace reportedly value their academy product at close to \u00a3100 million. Chelsea\u2019s own assessment sits nearer \u00a350-60 million, <strong>as reported by<\/strong> Sports Mole. That gap is the real reason talks have not moved faster. The west London club see him as a priority alongside defender Maxence Lacroix. The pair could cost around \u00a3120 million combined if both moves go through.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enzo Fernandez\u2019s likely move to Real Madrid has added urgency to the rebuild. Adam Wharton remains the leading name to fill that gap, regardless of how the valuation talks unfold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That financial calculation says a lot about how the Blues are approaching this window. Rather than overpay under pressure, Xabi Alonso\u2019s recruitment team seems willing to wait out Crystal Palace and test their resolve as deadline day edges closer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-202696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59-768x432.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59.webp\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-202696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Chelsea-59-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-can-chelsea-complete-the-adam-wharton-deal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Chelsea Complete the Adam Wharton Deal?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Betting markets have shifted too. Chelsea are now the new favourites to land the England international this summer. Liverpool sit second in the betting, followed by Tottenham, though neither looks close to matching the Blues\u2019 current position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crystal Palace, though, feel no pressure to sell. <strong>As reported by<\/strong> Yahoo Sports, Chairman Steve Parish has made it clear they will not sell until ready. Still, contact between the two sides continues, and a breakthrough before the <strong>Premier League<\/strong> season begins cannot be ruled out. The Eagles\u2019 stronger financial footing this season means they do not need to sell simply to balance the books. That only strengthens their hand in any Adam Wharton negotiation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transfer windows often reward patience over urgency, and this saga looks set to run until deadline day. The Blues still need to complete the Enzo Fernandez deal before they can turn full attention elsewhere. That timeline will likely shape how quickly things move for Adam Wharton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <strong><em>Jonathan Rowe emerges in Chelsea\u2019s surprise transfer plans<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <strong><em>Maxence Lacroix deal awaits Crystal Palace move<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read Next:<\/strong> <strong><em>Geovany Quenda joins Chelsea as \u00a340m transfer confirmed<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"after-article-links\" style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:14px;\">Follow the latest updates from <strong>Premier League<\/strong>, <strong>The League<\/strong> and<br \/>\n        <strong>Champions League<\/strong>or explore more<br \/>\n        <strong>Football<\/strong> stories, <strong>Football Teams<\/strong> &#038; <strong>All Football Competitions<\/strong> . Follow more updates on CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER UNITED and TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR. You can also check <strong>Latest Sports News<\/strong> or visit <strong>Six Sports<\/strong> for more Football updates.<\/div>\n<div class=\"fe-author-box\">\n<div class=\"fe-author-avatar\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=100&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffe9f843f387ba0534380c0ff06ab28dd5e7f2371bbe3d356d549067f6389aaa?s=200&amp;d=mm&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-100 photo\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" decoding=\"async\"\/>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-org-wrap\" itemprop=\"publisher\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Organization\">\n<div class=\"mvp-org-logo\" itemprop=\"logo\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\" src-webp=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png.webp\" class=\"ewww_webp_lazy_load\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"145\" src=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/sixsports.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Six-Sports.png\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-logo--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Six Sports\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><!--mvp-org-wrap--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--posts-nav-link--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mentioned-article-block\">\n<h3 class=\"mentioned-title\">Mentioned in this Article<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-button--><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!--comments-->\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool step back from Adam Wharton pursuit, leaving Chelsea as the clear frontrunner despite Palace\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17615\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}