The wait continues for Xabi Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea manager, with the Spaniard due to take office on July 1, but as the window draws nearer, it is becoming clear that Chelsea are hard at work.
Ahead of the summer window, it is expected that Chelsea will sort out their options in goal, at centre-back, on the left side of their attack and up top. The Blues may also need to bring in a few replacements.
What is Xabi Alonso’s number one priority as soon as he walks through those doors?🤔
Xabi Alonso's priority as Chelsea manager
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
That depends on the futures of players like Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and possibly even Joao Pedro up top. However, it has all gone quiet since Chelsea made their stance on Pedro clear; he is untouchable.
Chelsea will enter the summer with six senior wingers. Geovany Quenda will join, and Jesse Derry has now made his full Premier League debut, alongside Pedro Neto, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Ale Garnacho.
Chelsea get green light to sign Bologna star Jonathan Rowe
With a new left-winger likely to be a priority for Chelsea in the summer, that number will have to be axed. Especially because Chelsea did not manage to qualify for European competition ahead of next season.
Garnacho and Gittens will be nervously looking over their shoulder as Quenda and other new signings possibly arrive. Il Resto Del Carlino now claim Bologna are willing to cash in on Jonathan Rowe.
Bologna FC 1909 v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Bologna failed to qualify for Europe this season and, subsequently, are willing to listen to offers for some of their key players. Rowe has been excellent at Bologna since swapping Marseille for the Serie A side.
The report claims that Chelsea and Aston Villa are among the clubs interested, with Bologna boasting a history of selling to the Premier League including players like Joshua Zirkzee, Ricardo Calafiori and more.
Jonathan Rowe is good, but Chelsea’s other targets are better
This summer, Chelsea are set to sign more experienced players. Rowe has now featured in the top tiers of Italian and French football, having made his name at Norwich City during a stint in the Championship.
DISCUSS: Jarrod Bowen is a better signing than Rafael Leao…
Chelsea have been linked with both this summer.
There is no doubt the England U21 international is a player with quality. He has shown he can score goals and create at that level. But there is a question mark over whether he is good enough to play for Chelsea.
The second issue is that with Derry, Quenda and Estevao, Chelsea need a more experienced head out wide to allow the trio of teenagers to learn from. The likes of Jarrod Bowen and Rafa Leao are linked.
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