In a season which has proven the frailties of Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo is one of the players that most fans have recognised as operating at a level lower than his best. Now, with the January transfer window coming to a close, rumours are beginning to circulate that he may depart Old Trafford.
Although still only 19 years of age, Mainoo broke into the Man United team in 2023/24, racking up three goals and one assist from 24 league appearances. His talent was immediately recognisable, registering 52.4% duel success rate as well as 1.44 successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
Yet, this season his form has taken a complete nose dive. Mainoo's duel success rate has fallen to 47.8%, worse than 74% of the league's holding midfielders, and his attacking output has reduced to zero, having made no goal contributions and registering only 0.04 xG per game.
With Ruben Amorim set to overhaul the United squad, Mainoo is someone who has been singled out as potentially needing to exit Old Trafford in order to aid the progression of the club's transition phase.
Seeing as he is still a teenager, this would certainly be a surprising turn of events, but Enzo Maresca's Chelsea seem very interested in the youngster, with bookies pricing the Blues as firm favourites to land Mainoo before the close of the transfer window.
Current favourites
Chelsea – 7/1
Due to Mainoo's age and his breakout season coming only one year ago, a move away for the Englishman seems unlikely in general. But, if one team were able to pry him from the Red Devils' trappings, Chelsea would appear to be the club most likely to do so.
After being injured for the entirety of his debut campaign, £58 million signing Romeo Lavia has only managed 10 Premier League appearances this season, sustaining another injury on 21st January which is anticipated to keep him sidelined until the middle of February.
Although the partnership of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez has able to lock down the Chelsea midfield, Lavia's injury-proneness is cause for concern, and thus Maresca could move for a new holding midfielder during this window.
Chelsea have fallen to sixth place in the league, after a weekend 3-1 defeat to previously-struggling Manchester City resulted in the club having won only one of their last seven Premier League matches, a 3-1 victory over relegation-battling Wolves.
Losses to Ipswich and Fulham, as well as a draw with Crystal Palace, have all shown that Chelsea are not as structured and effective as they had first appeared during the seasons' inaugural 15 matches. Thus, reinforcements may be necessary if they are to claw back the points deficit and regain a top-four spot.
Although a departure still seems improbable, Stamford Bridge would appear the most likely destination, as Mainoo certainly fits the Blues' recruitment plans for young, brave talent. At 7/1, Chelsea can still provide a great return on investment if the 19-year-old does switch team.
Juventus – 10/1
Another destination apparently possible for Mainoo is Juventus. Thiago Motta's team have had a rather up-and-down season so far, as, despite only one defeat in the league, they sit in fifth place having drawn 13 of their 22 matches.
New signing Douglas Luiz has been a complete let down for the Old Lady, registering only 430 minutes in Serie A and making no direct goal contributions.
Teun Koopmeiners and Khephren Thuram have both also come under great scrutiny, as they have lacked the cohesion necessary to excel in the division. Despite both having featured in almost every game so far, they have only nine goals and assists between them, far below what had been expected of them when Juventus overhauled their midfield in the summer transfer window.
Dynamism is what has been lacking from the club's midfield, and this is something which Mainoo brings in abundance. An innate ability to move seamlessly between the lines and break up play, the Englishman could be the perfect fit for Motta's ideal midfield.
Although a move to the Allianz Stadium still seems some way off, 10/1 odds provide great value if the unexpected does happen to come off.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
