Xabi Alonso arrives at Chelsea in the summer with an important period ahead for the club as the transfer window opens on June 15
07:00, 30 May 2026
Xabi Alonso looks on
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Chelsea and Xabi Alonso are looking to build a squad to compete in his debut season at Stamford Bridge(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media)
While Xabi Alonso has not officially started his job, there will be continued talks behind the scenes with the five sporting directors about Chelsea 's recruitment this summer.
The 44-year-old, who has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030, will be given more power when it comes to the club's transfer plans. While his predecessors were restricted somewhat when it came to recruitment, tied down to the head coach role, BlueCo have put their faith in their new manager Alonso.
There are a number of areas within the Chelsea squad that need improving - one way or another - in the upcoming summer transfer window that opens midway through next month. The midfield is one of them.
At the club at the moment, before anyone is signed or leaves, Alonso has more than £316million (combined transfer fees Chelsea paid, not including add-ons) worth of attacking talent to choose from. It, however, seems unlikely that they will all be at Stamford Bridge next season.
With that being said, we take a look at the 'dream' set of midfield options for Chelsea at the start of the 2026/27 season. This is part of a mini-series by f ootball.london , with the defence and goalkeeper situations both to be assessed in the near future. If you missed the attack, here it is.
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What needs to be done
A world-class central midfielder in his playing days, Alonso, who won a total of 17 major honours as a player, will know exactly what he wants in the middle of the park from his players. Some serious surgery needs to be done, and Alonso is set to be central to the operation behind the scenes.
Even before you sell a player or two, or loan one out, there needs to be a signing. And that is the plan; sources say the centre of midfield is towards the top of Chelsea's to-do list in the upcoming summer transfer window, alongside a central defender and left-sided winger.
Adam Wharton has been strongly linked and football.london understands the Blues are long-term admirers of the Crystal Palace midfielder. Many expect Wednesday evening's Conference League final victory over Rayo Vallecano to be Wharton's final match for the Eagles. Speculation over his future is not going anywhere anytime soon, it seems.
Adam Wharton
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Adam Wharton has long-term admirers in Chelsea(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images)
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest looks Manchester City-bound, while long-time target Kobbie Mainoo recently extended his contract with Manchester United. There are other unnamed options on Chelsea's radar, with every option being assessed this summer.
Enzo Fernandez 's future is in serious doubt. It emerged earlier this week that the Argentina international is looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge before the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign, as per sources, with Chelsea wanting to keep the 25-year-old but equally will not stand in his way should a £120m offer be placed on the table.
Given Fernandez's desire to depart this summer, it may be in Chelsea's best interests to sanction his exit should they get the right sort of money. Although at this point, it is unclear whether a club - Real Madrid, realistically - would be willing to pay well over £100m for Fernandez. For the sake of this article, though, we will envisage a world where the Argentine is not at the Bridge next term.
Moises Caicedo is in Chelsea's long-term plans, hence the extension of his contract recently. And the same can be said about captain Reece James, who has quite often presented Chelsea with an extra midfield option.
Reece James
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Reece James applauds the Chelsea supporters(Image: Carl Recine)
A decision needs to be made on Romeo Lavia. The Belgian midfielder has missed an enormous amount of football since signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £58m. Injuries have plagued Lavia, who has proved to be a useful option - for the most part - when fit and available.
'Fit and available' being the two key words; he has so often not been either. For Chelsea, it might be time to cut ties with the former Manchester City man. Whatever decision is made re Lavia could have a big say on Dario Essugo.
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia
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Romeo Lavia of Chelsea(Image: Chelsea FC)
There could be scope to loan Essugo out should Lavia stay in order to get the Portuguese midfielder more first-team minutes. However, that might not be an option should Lavia leave.
Alonso and Chelsea will be boosted by the imminent arrival of Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg. While the transfer fee is unknown at this point, the Argentina international, who will be helping the South Americans with their World Cup defence this summer, has agreed a deal to move across the BlueCo project and to the Blues. Barco is an option in the centre of midfield and will also provide cover at left-back.
Andrey Santos, finally, will be hoping for an improved second season in west London. While the Brazil international showed glimpses of his talent during his debut campaign, his performance level was not consistent enough. To be fair to him, being in and out of the side inevitably had an impact on his rhythm.
Andrey Santos celebrates
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Andrey Santos celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Port Vale(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Central midfield options (after two exits and one addition)
Moises Caicedo
Adam Wharton (or someone else)
Andrey Santos
Dario Essugo
Valentin Barco
Article continues below
Reece James