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Starts July 1
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Xabi Alonso doesn't officially begin work as Chelsea manager until July 1, 2026. But if reports are to be believed, the Spaniard is already busy making plans for the season ahead at Stamford Bridge, as he prepares for his first foray into management in English football. Alonso's appointment was officially announced in May, succeeding Liam Rosenior following his turbulent three-month reign that ended in April. And the 44-year-old is likely to oversee yet another rebuild this summer, even if after a €1.7 billion transfer spend since Clearlake and Todd Boehly's takeover in May 2022.
Alonso is reportedly looking to sign a centre-back, centre midfielder and a left winger. But what is unusual about this summer is the west London club are not expected to bring in a flurry of new names, chiefly because half of their business was completed a year ago while a number of loanees are returning to fight for their place.
Stars sold, loanees return
Valentín Barco is waiting to be officially announced as a Chelsea player, having starred for their sister club Strasbourg. The Argentinian, who can play left-back or operate as a central midfielder, will give Alonso some options to experiment with. Mike Penders also spent the season on loan with Strasbourg and is expected to compete for the No. 1 jersey in between the sticks.
Geovany Quenda was signed from Sporting CP last summer for €50.7 million and is set to link up with his new team-mates after the World Cup. With Nicolas Jackson, Tyrique George and Axel Disasi all returning from their respective loans at Bayern Munich, Everton and West Ham, the Blues' squad has reinflated itself to a bloated state yet again.
All five of Chelsea's sporting directors will be busy arranging sales to offload their dead wood after failing to qualify for Europe. That will have a significant impact on how much Chelsea can spend this summer, as well as UEFA's tight restrictions on the club's overall losses on the balance sheet. Selling Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Cucurella and Liam Delap could raise significant funds for them to strengthen elsewhere, as well as allowing some players who are keen to leave to head out the door.
Three new signings: Rogers, Palacios, Tapsoba linked
There are a number of players whom have been consistently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and speculation refuses to die down. One of which is Morgan Rogers, the Aston Villa No. 10 who could move on from Villa Park this summer with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool all keen on the 23-year-old.
Rogers' ties with Chelsea co-director of recruitment Joe Shields from their time at Manchester City are well-known, and Shields has been keen to bring his former City youth graduates to the capital. Alonso typically does not splash the cash, with 29 players purchased in his time as a manger for a total of €314.8 million - that's €10.85 million per player on average.
The biggest issue facing Alonso and Chelsea is the club's perceived instability in the dugout and in the league table. If they cannot qualify for Europe, the best players will go elsewhere, while their strict wage budget has hamstrung them in pursuing stars such as Michael Olise and Victor Osimhen. On the other hand, Alonso is an established name in world football and players - particularly ones he has already forged a relationship with - may be keen to reunite with him.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba is believed to be one of the names on his wishlist, while Exequiel Palacios is admired by Alonso after bringing him to Germany. If Garnacho does depart, Chelsea will move for a left-sided No 10 to fit Alonso's 3-4-2-1 setup, and that could be Kenan Yıldız. Juventus have already rejected one offer, said to be in the region of €65 million, but Chelsea's interest in the Turkish starlet hasn't faded.
New formation and the World Cup effect
Away from transfers, Alonso will relish the opportunity to work with the likes of Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah, João Pedro and Estêvão in pre-season after the quartet missed out on participating in the World Cup. Those extra weeks of familiarity could prove to be crucial in helping him devise a formation where the players feel comfortable and getting acquainted with his new squad. His wing-back system could help Reece James and Jorrel Hato flourish, with Palmer and Estêvão playing in their favoured central roles. The below graphic visualises what his starting XI could look like next season.
It didn't work out for Alonso at Real Madrid after his incredible stint with Leverkusen, but Chelsea might prove to be the perfect blend of the two. While he has some egos to manage, his fresh ideas could lift the club back to prominence in the Premier League. Much like when Antonio Conte took the Blues from 10th to the title back in 2016/17, Alonso can focus his efforts on the training pitch with no European football to distract them.
It may be a stretch to suggest Chelsea will compete for the title, but three or four signings - coupled with Alonso's tactical reset - may be exactly what they need to finally compete again after four miserable years in the Premier League.
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