Chelsea have reportedly played down suggestions that Xabi Alonso is eyeing a fresh partnership with Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz ahead of the summer transfer window. Alonso and Wirtz forged a formidable working relationship during their time together at Bayer Leverkusen, claiming the Bundesliga title as a duo back in 2024.
Wirtz's exceptional performances under Alonso earned him a £116million move to Liverpool last summer, though life at Anfield has not quite gone according to plan for the German international so far. The 23-year-old contributed seven goals and 10 assists for the Reds across 49 appearances in all competitions during his debut campaign in English football.
With Alonso now installed in his first Premier League post at Chelsea, speculation regarding a potential reunion between the two has always seemed inevitable.
Over the weekend, reports suggested that Chelsea were keeping on Wirtz and may launch a bid depending on how Enzo Fernandez's situation develops this summer.
However, according to football.london, those claims are wide of the mark with Chelsea having no interest in bringing Wirtz to Stamford Bridge.
It's also said that the Blues are actively pursuing at least two first-team additions to strengthen Alonso's ranks ahead of the 44-year-old's maiden season at Stamford Bridge.
Several names have been touted with a move to west London in recent weeks, though the report insists there is no truth to the rumours linking John Stones, Ethan Nwaneri, Lucas Bergvall or indeed Wirtz with the club.
Wirtz struggled at Liverpool last season but former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp recently explained how to get the very best out of him.
Speaking after Germany' nervy win over Ivory Coast at the World Cup, Klopp said: "The important thing is that we involve him in the game. There were moments against Curacao when I thought: 'Just give him the ball'.
"Not even because he was the best passing option, but because, as a team-mate, I want Flo Wirtz to feel good.
"If I were (Nico) Schlotterbeck, I’d just give him the ball five times for no particular reason and see what he does.
"If you really want Flo Wirtz to get into a rhythm, if you want the place to really be buzzing, then give him the ball, because that’s when the lad feels completely at home.”