Chelsea’s pursuit of a new midfielder to fill the Enzo Fernandez-shaped hole continues, and now a new option on the Blues’ list is a player Joe Cole once said defends like Paolo Maldini.

Bournemouth and England star Alex Scott continues to be touted as Chelsea’s priority target. The Blues need a midfielder that fits Xabi Alonso’s double pivot, but boasts some of Fernandez’s attacking prowess.

But Scott is not the only player linked with Chelsea. Felix Nmecha, Arsenal duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Zubimendi, and plenty of others have been touted. Now, another name is on Chelsea’s radar.

Joe Cole is a huge fan of a versatile star ‘watched’ by Chelsea

According to reports, Chelsea are ‘watching’ Newcastle United midfielder Lewis Miley, among other potential targets. The 20-year-old England U21 star has established himself as one of Newcastle’s best.

Since making his debut just 27 days after his 17th birthday, typically against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw in 2023, Miley has since played 89 times for Newcastle and helped score 14 goals for his boyhood club.

Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Chelsea icon Joe Cole compared Miley’s defending to that of Paolo Maldini after watching him shut out Garnacho. That is despite Miley playing in a different role.

“I’m going to throw a name out here: Paolo Maldini defended like that. When players dribbled at him, he was the one that was in control. He knew he had Garnacho’s number there. Fantastic defending.”

Chelsea interest in Newcastle star Lewis Miley has been long-term

Indeed, the reports suggesting Miley is being watched by Chelsea this week might not come as a huge surprise to Chelsea supporters. The Blues have been linked with the Newcastle ace before, just this year.

Back in April, it was claimed that Chelsea were keeping tabs on the uncapped Englishman, with Chelsea always keeping an eye out for the best young talent in Europe. Miley, though, won’t be a cheap signing.

He has a contract with his boyhood club until the summer of 2031. But if Alonso wants a versatile player to join, offering cover in midfield – both holding, and as a playmaker – and at full-back, Miley is ideal.