Xabi Alonso's Chelsea tenure is officially underway today and a new Blues signing has been spotted at the club's training base in Cobham
11:01, 01 Jul 2026Updated 11:08, 01 Jul 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso has started work at Chelsea(Image: Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket)
Xabi Alonso's time at Chelsea is officially underway.
After what feels like a lifetime of waiting for the Spaniard to start his managerial role at Stamford Bridge, today (July 1) is the day we have been waiting for. Alonso will begin work with his new Blues squad, or the majority of it at least, next week with the players not at the World Cup set to report for pre-season training on July 9.
Even though his official work as a Chelsea player will not start for another eight days, new signing Dastan Satpayev is already at the club's Cobham-based training centre. The west Londoners agreed a deal for the 17-year-old last February with the talented Kazakh set to join this summer.
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Satpayev has been pictured in Cobham alongside FC Kairat owner Kairat Boranbayev and Chelsea sporting director Joe Shields. The Blues, sources say, are extremely excited by the signing of the hugely talented Kazakh attacker, though where he will be playing his football next season is uncertain.
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His contract at Chelsea does not officially begin until he turns 18 on August 12. What happens next is up to Alonso and the sporting leadership team - a loan to Strasbourg is an option if Chelsea feel like the teenage talent could do with some first-team experience away from the club.
Satpayev is one of four pre-agreed signings to be joining Chelsea officially this summer. Geovany Quenda has signed from Sporting CP and is expected to be handed a first-team role next season. Quenda can play on either flank, as well as wing back - the sort of versatility the tactically-flexible Alonso appreciates in a player.
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Emmanuel Emegha has signed from sister club Strasbourg and could be an option in the No.9 department. Valentin Barco, official announcement pending, will sign from the French side as well but he will not join up with Alonso and the rest of the squad for some time yet due to representing Argentina at the World Cup.