Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, John Stones and Robert Lewandowski that you may have missed….
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has reportedly encouraged new Blues manager Xabi Alonso to pursue a summer move for Manchester City defender John Stones, as Chelsea continue to assess options to strengthen their back line ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Alonso, who recently arrived at Stamford Bridge following a highly successful spell in management, is expected to oversee a significant squad review during his first transfer window. While Chelsea’s recruitment team has been linked with several young defensive prospects, Cole believes the club should also target proven Premier League experience, with Stones emerging as a potential candidate.
The former England international has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Manchester City, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the Champions League under Pep Guardiola. However, injuries have limited his appearances over the past two seasons, and it was confirmed a few weeks ago that he is leaving Manchester City.
‘We don’t know what the finances are,’ Cole told football.london when asked about CHELSEA’s plans for the summer transfer window.
‘So it’s alright saying that we’re going to buy that player and buy that player. We may have to sell players, we don’t know.
‘One thing we’re sure we don’t want is wholesale changes because these young players that you had belief in three years ago: they’re still the same players.
‘They just need what I’ve been saying for two or three years, where you have experience around them within the group that helps them through games to coach them, whilst on the pitch to give them their wisdom, you know, and build it out that way.
‘Even if you’re just selling players, there’s ones that are not going to get near it. That’s not for me to say, that’s for them to work out.
‘And then you bring in your John Stones and Robert Lewandowski and players on a free transfer who don’t need to play every minute of every game, but they understand winning, they understand culture and they can still help out in the pitch and do bits.
‘The current players need that, they’ve got it within the group, it can’t be from coaches, all the time. ‘All the great teams are coached from within their own dressing room and its knowledge and wisdom passed down over the years.
‘It just baffles me how people just don’t understand that. But hopefully, they [the Chelsea owners] have read the room and that’s the way they go now.
‘If not, if they don’t, then it’ll be all much of the same. CHELSEA will be better next year and they’ll probably say we’re on the way up again. But you once you get back up, you’ll always hit the same ceilings.
‘When you get to elite level, you need experience, you need wisdom and you need quality.’
ALONSO AKS FOR MBAPPE SIGNING
Chelsea are reportedly exploring the possibility of one of the most ambitious transfers in modern football after claims emerged that new manager Xabi Alonso is eager to reunite with Kylian Mbappe at Stamford Bridge this summer.
The France captain has become the subject of growing speculation following a turbulent period at Real Madrid, with several reports suggesting Alonso would welcome the opportunity to work with the forward again should the chance arise. Alonso was recently appointed Chelsea manager on a four-year contract and is expected to play a major role in shaping the club’s transfer strategy ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
According to reports in Spain and England, Mbappe has emerged as one of Alonso’s dream targets as the new Chelsea boss begins planning a major rebuild at Stamford Bridge. Sources have claimed Alonso has already informed CHELSEA‘s hierarchy of his admiration for the 27-year-old and would be keen to make him the centrepiece of a new-look project in west London.
The prospect of a move remains highly complicated. Mbappe is still under contract at Real Madrid, and there has been no indication from the Spanish club that they are actively seeking to sell one of the world’s biggest stars. However, reports have suggested tensions surrounding Madrid’s disappointing season have fuelled renewed speculation over the attacker’s long-term future.
Despite scoring more than 40 goals across all competitions and securing the European Golden Boot, Mbappe endured a frustrating campaign as Real Madrid missed out on major honours. Barcelona once again finished above their rivals domestically, while Madrid also fell short in the Champions League, increasing scrutiny on several senior figures at the club.
Alonso and Mbappe are understood to have developed a strong professional relationship during their time together in Madrid. Reports have claimed the Chelsea manager remains convinced the French international could become the focal point of his long-term plans and has encouraged the club’s owners to monitor developments closely.
Chelsea’s ownership has never hidden its willingness to invest heavily in marquee signings, although a deal of this scale would represent one of the biggest transfers in football history. The club have already spent significant sums rebuilding the squad since the BlueCo takeover, but Alonso’s arrival is expected to bring a renewed focus on assembling a side capable of challenging for major trophies immediately.
Football analysts have also backed CHELSEA as a potential destination should Mbappe ever decide to leave Madrid. Some observers believe the combination of Alonso’s presence, the club’s financial power and the opportunity to become the undisputed face of a major rebuilding project could prove attractive to the French superstar.
For now, no formal negotiations have been confirmed, and Real Madrid remain publicly committed to Mbappe. Nevertheless, reports linking the forward with Chelsea continue to gather momentum as Alonso prepares for his first transfer window in charge.
Whether the speculation develops into a genuine pursuit remains uncertain, but the possibility of Mbappe leading a new era under Alonso at Stamford Bridge is already generating significant attention across European football.
ALONSO TOLD TO SIGN LEWANDOWSKI
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has reportedly encouraged new Blues manager Xabi Alonso to consider a move for veteran striker Robert Lewandowski following confirmation that the Poland international will leave Barcelona on a free transfer this summer.
Lewandowski recently announced that he will bring his four-year spell at the Spanish giants to an end when his contract expires, immediately sparking speculation about his next destination. The striker remains one of the most decorated forwards of his generation, and despite entering the latter stages of his career, interest in his services remains strong across Europe, Major League Soccer and Saudi Arabia.
According to recent reports, Cole believes CHELSEA should take advantage of the opportunity to add proven experience and leadership to a young squad that has struggled for consistency in recent season.
‘We don’t know what the finances are,’ Cole told football.london when asked about Chelsea’s plans for the summer transfer window. So it’s alright saying that we’re going to buy that player and buy that player. We may have to sell players, we don’t know.
‘One thing we’re sure we don’t want is wholesale changes because these young players that you had belief in three years ago: they’re still the same players.
‘They just need what I’ve been saying for two or three years, where you have experience around them within the group that helps them through games to coach them, whilst on the pitch to give them their wisdom, you know, and build it out that way.
‘Even if you’re just selling players, there’s ones that are not going to get near it. That’s not for me to say, that’s for them to work out.
‘And then you bring in your John Stones and Robert Lewandowski and players on a free transfer who don’t need to play every minute of every game, but they understand winning, they understand culture and they can still help out in the pitch and do bits.
‘The current players need that, they’ve got it within the group, it can’t be from coaches, all the time
‘All the great teams are coached from within their own dressing room and its knowledge and wisdom passed down over the years.
‘It just baffles me how people just don’t understand that. But hopefully, they [the CHELSEA owners] have read the room and that’s the way they go now.
‘If not, if they don’t, then it’ll be all much of the same. Chelsea will be better next year and they’ll probably say we’re on the way up again. But you once you get back up, you’ll always hit the same ceilings.
‘When you get to elite level, you need experience, you need wisdom and you need quality.’
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