Chelsea will have Xabi Alonso at the helm next season and may dip into the transfer market to help improve on a lacklustre campaign
Enzo Fernandez (L) and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea (R) look dejected after the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City
Chelsea could look to the transfer market to revolutionise their midfield(Image: Getty)
View 5 Images
Xabi Alonso could see Chelsea's midfield transformed this summer with £180million worth of arrivals. Former British record transfer Enzo Fernandez may also wave goodbye to Stamford Bridge.
The west London side are currently licking their wounds after a disappointing season. Chelsea won't play European football next term after finishing 10th in the Premier League, with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior losing their jobs throughout the campaign.
It will be former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Alonso who will take the reins in July. The Spaniard will be aiming to catapult his new team back towards the top-flight table's summit.
Firstly, it has been reported that Argentine ace Fernandez has informed Chelsea he wants to leave the club. This comes just three years after they shelled out a then-record £106m for his services.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea applauds the fans following the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City
Fernandez could be sold this summer(Image: Getty)
View 5 Images
The 25-year-old has only just finished runner-up in the club's player of the season award and bagged 15 goals in the campaign just gone. If he is to depart, with his asking price supposedly set above the £100m mark, then he'll take some replacing.
Under Alonso, it is expected that Chelsea will operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with a double midfield pivot and two attacking No. 10s. If Fernandez is sold, in an ideal world, they should recruit two new midfielders.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge
Caicedo can thrive under Alonso(Image: Getty)
View 5 Images
He can operate as the right-sided 10, allowed to roam, find pockets and create chances. In the transfer market, then, two new stars are needed: one to play in the double pivot and another, a more direct, powerful No. 10.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace poses for a photo with the Laufenn Player of the Match trophy after the team's victory in the UEFA Conference League Final 2026 match between Crystal Palace FC and Rayo Vallecano
Wharton starred as Palace won the Conference League(Image: Getty)
View 5 Images
But Chelsea should do all they can to snap him up, as he is perfect for Alonso's system. At Bayer Leverkusen, Granit Xhaka starred as this left-footed deep playmaker who opened up passing angles and dictated tempo.
Wharton is tailored to the role and would slot seamlessly alongside Caicedo. Rogers would then round off this dream midfield at Stamford Bridge.
The Aston Villa star, who is currently away with the Three Lions for World Cup 2026, helped guide his team to Europa League glory this term and is one of the Premier League's finest young talents.
Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa celebrates after defeating Freiburg 3-0 to win the UEFA Europa League final match at Besiktas Park
Rogers could cost upwards of £100m(Image: Getty)
View 5 Images
The 23-year-old is also reportedly on Arsenal's radar but could give Alonso an explosive, direct inside forward next to international team-mate Palmer. He has an alleged £100m-plus price tag, but if Fernandez is sold, this would likely be no issue.
Content Image
Content Image