Chelsea are looking to provide new manager Xabi Alonso with at the very least three signings this summer to help the Spaniard in his debut season at Stamford Bridge
07:00, 06 Jun 2026
Rafael Leao
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Rafael Leao looks set to leave AC Milan this summer(Image: Claudio Villa/AC Milan)
Xabi Alonso visited Cobham for the first time earlier this week as the newly-appointed Chelsea manager began his preparations ahead of next month's start date.
Alonso and his team of backroom staff familiarised themselves with their new colleagues at the club's training centre in Surrey before the Spaniard officially takes on the role on July 1. The fleeting visit was mostly for due diligence's sake, with sources close to the club insisting it was not transfer-related.
That, however, does not mean Alonso and Chelsea are not focused on their summer plans on the transfer front. football.london understands there is constant dialogue between the 44-year-old and the club's sporting leadership team - consisting of Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Joe Shields, Sam Jewell and Dave Fallows - about their plans off the pitch in the coming months.
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The Blues are hoping to add to at least three key areas over the course of the transfer window, which opens in less than a fortnight's time. A centre-back is being looked at, as are a central midfielder and a left winger. And with that being said, our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes say who they would sign in each of the aforementioned positions:
Bobby Vincent
At centre-back, the club are looking at several options and sources are keeping their cards close to their chest. There is a fondness of Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace, with the French defender expected to depart at some point in the summer. However, apart from that, it's anybody's guess, really, at who they are looking at.
While I've not heard anything reliable on Chelsea being in for John Stones, I think he would be an excellent acquisition for the Blues as they head in a slightly different direction. While BlueCo have not completely deviated away from their youth-centric transfer focus, there will be more emphasis this summer in bringing in experienced heads. Stones fits that profile perfectly.
John Stones
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John Stones will become a free agent later this month(Image: James Gill - Danehouse)
In midfield, Adam Wharton seems like the obvious pick. Some supporters seem to have doubts over whether he would work next to Moises Caicedo in a midfield duo, but Chelsea will do their due diligence on that one should they decide to act on their long-term interest in the Crystal Palace star.
Many expect Wharton, who was left out of Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad recently, to depart Selhurst Park in the summer transfer window. However, Wharton is set to have several Champions League clubs chasing his signature, which could make it that bit more difficult for Chelsea to secure the signing.
Similar can be said about Morgan Rogers, but for me, he is the perfect option and exactly the sort of profile Chelsea should be chasing this summer. The Aston Villa star has long been on the Blues' radar but he is expected to be the target for a multitude of top clubs before the start of the new season.
Rogers offers a brilliant option on the left-hand side, while also being able to slot into the No.10 role.
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Morgan Rogers is a long-term transfer target for Chelsea
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Morgan Rogers has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Dan Mullan)
Jake Stokes
Rafael Leao recently announced that he wants to leave AC Milan, and Chelsea shouldn’t think twice about testing the waters this summer. The 26-year-old winger may not be the crème de la crème out of possession, but he’s an excellent ball-carrier and has an eye for goal.Having failed to qualify for the Champions League, the Blues are in no position to throw their weight around this summer. So Chelsea will either have to settle for a player they will inevitably have to replace in a couple of years or take a gamble. Roll the dice, Alonso!In an ideal world, Alonso sells Aurelien Tchouameni a dream and brings him to Chelsea. The 26-year-old midfielder, who was an admirer of the Spaniard’s – albeit brief – work at Real Madrid, would be a superb addition to the starting line-up.There aren't many other players out there that provide a mix of quality, physicality and experience like Tchouameni. That said, it’ll be difficult to prise the France international from the Santiago Bernabeu, so hopefully Alonso can work his magic.Unless a world-class centre-back suddenly pushes to leave, Chelsea should settle with John Stones for the time being. The 32-year-old defender would be a good stopgap addition until Alonso can get the Blues back in the Champions League.With no European football next season, Chelsea will play once a week, maybe twice on rare occasions. So, the Blues will be able to carefully manage Stones’ workload and get the very best out of a top centre-back on his day
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