Chelsea are expected to welcome a few new faces to Stamford Bridge this summer as Xabi Alonso looks to bolster the squad.
08:00, 24 Jun 2026
Maxence Lacroix #26 of France prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I Match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Maxence Lacroix of France at the World Cup(Image: Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso could build the strongest Chelsea backline in a long time, so long as he's sufficiently backed by the sporting leadership team. The new Blues manager will begin his new role at Stamford Bridge at the start of next month, giving him and the recruitment team plenty of time to prepare for the new season.
Until Alonso steps out on the turf at Cobham and begins putting the players through their paces, it will remain unclear whether he'll favour a back-four or a back-five. When the 44-year-old first took the reins of Real Sociedad B in June 2019, he used a 4-2-3-1.
Towards the end of his spell in San Sebastian, Alonso began experimenting with a back-five. At Bayer Leverkusen, the Spaniard continued to deploy the new formation; he often fielded a 3-4-2-1 with a double pivot, two narrow attacking midfielders, and flying wing-backs.
Despite enjoying great success with the setup in Germany, winning the Bundesliga unbeaten, he reverted to a back-four at Real Madrid to accommodate as many of the household names as possible. After just eight months in charge, Alonso stepped down.
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With more authority at Chelsea, hence the job title, the former Liverpool midfielder could lay down a marker and redeploy a back-five – a formation Calum McFarlane used towards the end of his second spell as interim head coach, perhaps in preparation for next term.
Equally, Alonso could stick with a back-four, knowing the Blues had established some strong key principles and patterns under Enzo Maresca. Regardless of the formation, though, the sporting leadership need to significantly bolster and diversify the Spaniard's defensive options.
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at two ways Alonso could rebuild the Chelsea backline this summer.
World Cup star key to Chelsea rebuild
If Chelsea are to field a back-five next season, Alonso will need a dynamic left wing-back who can defend just as well as they can attack. Maxi Araujo, who has recently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, would be a good addition to the starting lineup in said role, bombing up and down the touchline.
The 26-year-old defender, whose contract with Sporting doesn't expire until June 2029, has been a revelation at the World Cup this summer, scoring two goals and providing one assist across the opening two group stage games. He hasn't just burst onto the scene either.
Sporting Lisbon's Uruguayan midfielder #20 Maximiliano Araujo (R) talks to his teammate Spanish defender #22 Ivan Fresneda during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg football match between Sporting CP and Arsenal
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Ivan Fresneda and Maxi Araujo for Sporting in the Champions League(Image: Getty)
Araujo has been a key player for the Portuguese giants for a couple of years now and looks ready to make the next step in his career. The Uruguay international wouldn't be the final piece of the puzzle; Chelsea also need to sign a centre-back.
Maxence Lacroix, who has also recently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, would be another good signing, arriving as somebody with plenty of experience at the highest level in a back-five. With Reece James or Malo Gusto set to be flying forward on the right, the 26-year-old centre-half would be more than capable of defending wide spaces.
Chelsea are interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix
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Maxence Lacroix is one of numerous names on Chelsea's radar this summer(Image: Cameron Mandato - FIFA)
From left to right, the dream Chelsea back-five in full: Maxi Araujo, Jorrel Hato, Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Reece James.
Hato given new Chelsea role
In a back-four on paper, Jorrel Hato would likely feature at left-back. In possession, he'd likely form a back-three with Colwill in the middle and Lacroix on the right, giving James the license to roam forward.
Out of possession, they'd fall back into a flat four, which caught Chelsea out a few times under Liam Rosenior. Neither of the defenders will have the luxury of an extra body in the backline to sweep up any mistakes.
Ultimately, Alonso would need Hato to continue his excellent vein of form. The 20-year-old, who's more than ready for the challenge, looks set to take on a greater role in the absence of Marc Cucurella.
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From left to right, the dream Chelsea back-four in full: Jorrel Hato, Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Reece James.
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