Matthaus backs Wirtz for Chelsea switch as Liverpool's £116m man faces Anfield scrutiny

Lothar Matthaus has publicly backed Florian Wirtz for a move to Chelsea, arguing that the £116 million Liverpool midfielder could rediscover his best form under Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge after a difficult spell on Merseyside.

The 1990 World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or recipient made his case in comments reported by Bulinews, pointing to Wirtz’s existing relationship with Alonso — who coached the German at Bayer Leverkusen — as a compelling reason why Chelsea could emerge as a realistic destination if the 22-year-old’s situation at Anfield does not improve.

“If Wirtz continues to face criticism at Liverpool and fails to show the joy and freedom in his game that we know he has, then at some point all parties will have to sit down together and perhaps find a solution,” Matthaus said. “There are clubs in Spain that would be interested, as well as another club in England: Chelsea, where Wirtz’s former coach Xabi Alonso is now in charge.”

Matthaus acknowledged that Wirtz has shown flashes of his best form for the German national team, but suggested the system at Liverpool has not suited him in the same way it did at Leverkusen. “His team-mates look to find him on the ball there, just as they used to at Leverkusen. At Liverpool, however, the players tend to look for other options, such as [Dominik] Szoboszlai alongside him or Isak ahead of him,” he added.

The German legend also noted that Bayern Munich, the only Bundesliga club with the financial muscle to sign Wirtz, currently has no room for him in their squad, narrowing the realistic options for any potential departure.

The comments arrive at a sensitive moment for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, whose side were dismantled 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday and sit ninth in the Premier League. The defeat ended a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions and intensified scrutiny on several of the club’s high-profile recruits.

Chelsea do have competition for places in attacking midfield, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers both established figures in that area of the pitch under Alonso. Whether the club would pursue Wirtz — and whether Liverpool would entertain selling a player signed for a club-record fee — remains entirely speculative at this stage, with Matthaus offering a personal view rather than any indication of formal interest from either club.