Chelsea will prioritise strengthening their midfield in the upcoming transfer windows, according to The Telegraph.

The Blues have invested heavily in the area in recent years, spending in excess of £100m to bring Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to Stamford Bridge from Benfica and Brighton, respectively.

Enzo Maresca is also able to call upon Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo in the middle of the park, while Reece James has featured in the role on more than one occasion under the Italian.

Blues looking to ease pressure on Fernandez and Caicedo

However, Fernandez and Caicedo is Maresca’s go-to central midfield partnership, and the club are keen to invest in a key area to ease the burden on the pair.

Essugo has made just three outings for the Blues following his summer arrival from Sporting due to injury, while James has endured his fair share of fitness issues in years gone by.

Additionally, Romeo Lavia has undergone a number of spells on the sidelines, with Maresca looking to bring in cover and competition for both Fernandez and Caicedo.

Chelsea are unlikely to dip into the January market to bolster in a crucial area of the pitch unless they are forced to add to the squad.

As such, they are targeting the summer window as the one to go big to strengthen in central midfield.

Man Utd outcast emerges as summer target

Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a potential target for the Blues, though the youngster is keen on a game time in the second half of the season.

Mainoo, who pushed to leave Old Trafford over the summer, is yet to start a league game under Ruben Amorim this season, with all 11 outings coming from the bench.

A loan move to Napoli has been mooted as the 20-year-old looks to make a final push to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

England pair linked with Chelsea switch

Compatriot Adam Wharton is another that has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were credited with an interest in Wharton when he was at Blackburn Rovers, but the player instead moved to Crystal Palace last January.

In that time, Wharton has developed into an elite progressive passer, with interest in the 21-year-old high ahead of the January transfer window.

Elliot Anderson is another that has cropped up on Chelsea’s radar, though the latter England pair will cost in excess of £100m to sign from Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, respectively.

Chelsea booked their place in the next round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night as they beat League One leaders Cardiff City in Wales.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday, when they take on Newcastle at St. James’ Park in the Premier League’s lunchtime clash.