Chelsea have officially drawn a line in the sand ahead of the summer window, designating two names in the untouchable bracket ahead of the transfer market opening.
Xabi Alonso’s plan for Chelsea relies on stability, making the board’s decision to keep key players crucial.
To implement his system, Alonso needs reliable talent he can build around from day one. He cannot afford the squad rotation and sales that disrupted previous managers.
However, building this long-term vision will be made harder by the lack of top-tier European football. Having missed out on the Europa League after their FA Cup final defeat, Chelsea face a quiet calendar unless they can creep into the Conference League.
This absence of European games limits the club’s financial flexibility under spending rules, while making it difficult to attract the quality squad depth Alonso needs. Plus, keeping current players satisfied without Champions League football won’t be easy.
What would you go with for the Spurs game? A back three or back four?
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Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer are two of the untouchables
Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail provided some insight into the type of players we could see staying at Chelsea this summer, and it looks like there will be a few.
It’s stated that Chelsea have a few ‘untouchables’ they will not consider selling and we are told Cole Palmer is one of them.
Joao Pedro is another ‘untouchable’ according to sources.
This is a slight difference to another report, which suggested that Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella were the two players Alonso had his sights set on keeping.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Xabi Alonso graphic
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There have been rumours involving Pedro and Palmer
Despite them being untouchables, Chelsea face a major battle to keep Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro amid heavy interest.
Palmer has become a primary target for Manchester United, with reports suggesting a massive £150 million summer push to bring the playmaker back to his Manchester roots.
Meanwhile, Barcelona sporting director Deco has travelled to London to hold talks with Joao Pedro’s representatives, earmarking the Brazilian forward as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
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