Chelsea are on the brink of completing a deal for Atalanta defender Marco Palestra with the 21-year-old set to become Xabi Alonso's first signing as Blues manager
14:38, 24 Jun 2026
Maxence Lacroix
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Maxence LACROIX of France during the training session and press Conference of French team at INF Clairefontaine on June 1, 2026 in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)(Image: Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport)
Xabi Alonso is starting to shape the Chelsea squad exactly the way he likes, with the Blues on the verge of completing a deal to sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
Chelsea have struck an agreement with the Serie A outfit, with sources saying there is a fee in excess of £43million involved, for the 21-year-old defender to become Alonso's first signing at Stamford Bridge. The Blues hijacked Inter Milan's prospective deal to sign the Italy international with Alonso understood to be a huge admirer of Palestra's ability to play all across the defensive line.
Palestra can play at right back, left back and as wing back. The Italian has previously admitted his preferred position is at right back after being moved back into defence during his Atalanta academy days.
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The imminent signing of Palestra has inevitably led to question marks over the future of Chelsea right back Malo Gusto. Manchester City, soon to be led by former Blues head coach Enzo Maresca, are understood to be one of numerous 'top clubs' interested in the France international's signature.
Chelsea do not consider Gusto as untouchable, although he remains highly rated by senior officials at Stamford Bridge, and have placed a £75m price tag on the defender's head.
Elsewhere, a number of other Chelsea defenders have question marks over their futures. With the Blues looking to sign a new central defender to partner Levi Colwill in the long term, with Maxence Lacroix and Jacobo Ramon both options, it has put the futures of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile in doubt.
While it is unlikely Chelsea will sell all of the aforementioned trio, for the sake of their squad depth more than anything else, there could be some departures in the coming months. And, with that being said, football.london takes a look at Alonso's defensive options - at the time of writing.
Chelsea's defensive options
Right back: Reece James, Malo Gusto (could leave), Josh Acheampong and Marco Palestra
Centre back: Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah (could leave), Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr (could be loaned), Tosin Adarabioyo (could leave), Benoit Badiashile (could leave), Aaron Anselmino (could be loaned), Axel Disasi (expected to leave), Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato
Left back: Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra, Malo Gusto (could leave), Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Levi Colwill
Here's how Alonso's defence could look...
We could see Alonso go with any one of the below next season. Or maybe even something else...
James, Lacroix/Ramon, Colwill, Hato
Or James could move into midfield and we see something like this...
Palestra, Lacroix/Ramon, Colwill, Hato
Of course, Palestra can also play on the left-hand side of defence if Alonso wanted to move Hato centrally...
James, Lacroix/Ramon, Hato, Palestra
Not even to mention the possibility of a back three/five...
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James, Lacroix/Ramon, Colwill, Hato, Palestra