Xabi Alonso is facing a number of big decisions regarding his Chelsea squad
07:00, 18 Jun 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso Head coach of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid and Real Betis at Santiago Bernabéu on January 4, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)(Image: GSI/Icon Sport)
For incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, there are a multitude of decisions facing him when he begins his role officially at the start of next month.
Not only will the Blues boss be working out exactly how he wants his team to play, and how that functions with the players available; he will also be looking at the players he wants to be available to him in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are expected to have a busy summer transfer window in terms of incomings and outgoings, with Alonso working in tandem with the club's sporting leadership team over the coming months to help build the squad.
Alonso has been handed five new signings, with deals agreed prior to his time as Chelsea boss, to work with this summer. Not all of them, though, are expected to be involved in his squad next season - and below, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss whether they would keep each of the five new signings around, or whether a loan elsewhere would be more beneficial for their development:
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Geovany Quenda
Bobby: Our information is telling us that Quenda will be part of the first-team plans at Stamford Bridge next season. A young, speedy, versatile winger that Chelsea believe can come in and make an immediate impact. Let's hope he does get some game time, though, given the Blues have no European football in the 2026/27 campaign. KEEP
Jake: If there is one player on this list that Chelsea should keep, it's Quenda. The 19-year-old winger could be the perfect player for Alonso next season. He can play on either flank and has previously featured at wing-back. Although I don’t think the Blues boss will give Quenda an out-and-out defensive role, I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes central to transitional play at Stamford Bridge. KEEP
Geovany Quenda
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Geovany Quenda will join Chelsea in the summer(Image: Gualter Fatia)
Mike Penders
Bobby: Let's get the two most straightforward ones out of the way first. Chelsea should - and are planning to - keep Penders around next season so the young goalkeeper can fight for the No.1 spot with Robert Sanchez. Going the other way is expected to be Filip Jorgensen, so Chelsea will need Penders as Sanchez's understudy. There is perhaps a world where come the end of 26/27, Penders has overtaken Sanchez in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. KEEP
Jake: Unless Chelsea sell Sanchez and sign a top senior understudy, like Yann Sommer, whose contract at Inter Milan expires at the end of the month, they should send Penders out on loan this summer. The 20-year-old goalkeeper could very well establish himself as the No.1 under Alonso next season, but it would just be impractical to have two players fighting for one position during a season where there’s only one game a week. LOAN
Emmanuel Emegha
Bobby: I thought this was a bit of a bizarre signing at the time because Chelsea are well stocked in the striker department. With the potential return of Nicolas Jackson next season, signing Emegha seems even more bizarre. Unless they are planning something we do not know about - for instance, letting Liam Delap leave this summer. Either way, I think Chelsea should loan Emegha because from what I have seen of him, which is admittedly not too much, he doesn't look quite ready. LOAN
Jake: Emegha should probably return to Strasbourg on loan, but the 23-year-old wouldn’t be a terrible third-choice striker, assuming Jackson stays and Delap leaves. As more of a target man and a presence in the box than his colleagues, he'll offer Alonso something different. It's also worth noting that Emegha arrived when Chelsea had already signed Joao Pedro, so perhaps he's satisfied with playing a support role. KEEP
Valentin Barco
Bobby: While Barco has not officially been confirmed to be moving to Chelsea this summer, sources say that is the case. I'm hoping to see more of the Argentina international at the World Cup (he didn't come on in the win vs Algeria) but from what I have seen, I've been impressed. Chelsea need options in the middle of the park and the fact he can also provide cover at left-back is a big plus. KEEP
Jake: Chelsea should keep Barco. The 21-year-old midfielder can play a couple of positions, giving Alonso the tactical flexibility to shift from a back-three to a back-four, or vice versa. Barco won't solve the Blues' physicality problem in the middle of the park, but he's good on the ball, has an eye for a pass, and loves a tackle. KEEP
Valentin Barco
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Valentin Barco will become a Chelsea player this summer(Image: Florencia Tan Jun - FIFA)
Dastan Satpayev
Bobby: From all the clips I've seen of Satpayev, he looks like one hell of a young talent but to be ready for the Premier League as a 17-year-old is an enormous ask. For that reason alone, I would send him out on loan. Strasbourg seems a good option for the Kazakh teenager to continue his development into senior football. LOAN
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Jake: Chelsea should also send Satpaev out on loan. Like Penders, the 17-year-old striker would be much better off playing regularly than feeding off minutes from the bench – and that’s assuming he’s earned a place in the matchday squad. Satpaev needs time and space to develop and learn from his mistakes. The last thing Alonso should do is throw him to the lions when Joao Pedro is unavailable, or the Blues are trailing. LOAN