Xabi Alonso will take his first pre-season training session with his new Chelsea squad on July 9 as a new era embarks at Stamford Bridge and Cobham
12:36, 03 Jul 2026Updated 12:45, 03 Jul 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso will take Chelsea training for the first time next week(Image: Guillermo Martinez/NurPhoto)
Ishe Samuels-Smith will be part of Xabi Alonso's group this summer, however the Chelsea defender will be unable to train in full when the first-team squad report back next week as he continues his recovery from surgery.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the Blues squad will report for pre-season training on Thursday, July 9, for the first time under Alonso and Samuels-Smith will be present at Cobham. It was a strange season for the 20-year-old defender last time around having moved to Strasbourg on a permanent basis, only to be moved back to Chelsea after just 33 days in France.
Ismael Doukoure of Strasbourg looked set to leave the Ligue 1 club at one point last summer and Samuels-Smith was expected to deputise. However, Doukoure ended up signing a new contract with the French outfit and that's when a decision over Samuels-Smith's future was made.
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BlueCo felt as if Doukoure staying would block Samuels-Smith's pathway and Chelsea exercised the option to buy the defender back after just over a month with their sister club. Samuels-Smith was then sent to Swansea City on a season-long loan deal but it proved a difficult time for the versatile defender in south Wales.
He ended up making just eight appearances in all competitions for the Swans throughout his season there. Chelsea will be hoping for a more successful loan this time around and sources close to the player insist that is another temporary move is on the cards for the Manchester-born defender, who came through Everton's academy before signing for Chelsea in 2023.
It is likely to be a loan move to a Championship club, with several second-tier clubs interested in Samuels-Smith. Before moving, though, the Chelsea left back will get the opportunity to try and leave a strong first impression on newly-appointed manager Alonso.
Samuels-Smith, who is recovering from having surgery on his quadriceps earlier this year, will be part of the group Alonso takes this summer alongside several first-team stars, likely to include Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos and others not selected by their countries for the ongoing World Cup.
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While Samuels-Smith will not be involved in full training with the senior squad next week, he will be part of the group this summer. Samuels-Smith's focus will be in the gym as he looks to return to full fitness this summer.