Chelsea have a lot of work to do before Xabi Alonso leads Chelsea into the new Premier League season next month.
13:50, 03 Jul 2026
Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid, consoles Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after the team's defeat in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England
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Xabi Alonso will get his feet under the table at Cobham training ground for the first time on Thursday(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Chelsea have enjoyed a promising start to the transfer window, but there's still plenty of work to be done if Xabi Alonso is to build his dream 25-man squad. The Blues manager will get his feet under the table at Cobham training ground for the first time on Thursday, July 9, as he looks to lay the foundations for an exciting new project.
Although many are expected to report late for pre-season, representing their countries at the World Cup, Alonso will have the chance to work closely with some big names who were left behind. Meanwhile, those who are fighting for a future at Stamford Bridge will have the opportunity to earn a place in the former Liverpool midfielder's provisional plans.
Regardless of whether a player was one of the first names on the teamsheet last season or not, Alonso has already made it clear that they must put in the hard yards. Speaking to club media in May, the Spaniard said: "Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
"From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
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"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club, and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
Chelsea have already signed Marco Palestra, who looks set to be a key player in Alonso's side, and they're working on deals for Granit Xhaka and Pep Chavarria. Although they may be good additions, there's plenty of work still to be done if the Blues want to compete on al fronts.
So, with that being said, football.london has built the dream Chelsea 25-man squad.
Goalkeepers
The Chelsea sporting leadership team need to draw a line in the sand before it's too late: if Robert Sanchez stays, he starts, and Mike Penders leaves on loan; vice versa. With only one game a week, it would be unrealistic to expect Alonso to regularly rotate his goalkeepers.
Neither would necessarily be keen on being an understudy, so to avoid confusion and another mid-season panic between the sticks, the Blues need to make a decision as soon as possible and stand by it.
In the meantime, Chelsea should try to sign Yann Sommer on a free transfer. The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who recently left Inter Milan following the expiration of his contract, would be a great stopgap signing, bringing a wealth of quality and experience at the very highest level to Stamford Bridge without blocking the pathway of Penders.
Mike Penders
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Chelsea have big plans for Mike Penders(Image: Emilian Baldow/Icon Sport)
Defenders
Chelsea need to offload as many as four centre-backs this summer. Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile, as well as Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of the season on loan at West Ham, should be sold.
In doing so, the Blues would make space on the wage bill and raise funds to bring in Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and John Stones on a free transfer. The Eagles defender would significantly bolster the starting lineup.
He's not quite a world-class centre-half yet, but there's no one better available on the market at the moment, and he's got an incredibly high ceiling. As for Stones, he'd be a good backup for Levi Colwill at the heart of the backline.
John Stones and Morgan Rogers of England react during a training session on June 05, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida
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John Stones and Morgan Rogers during an England training session at the World Cup(Image: Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
With only one game a week, the former Manchester City defender could remain injury-free and offer just as much value on the pitch as off it. At left-back, Chavarria appears to be the most realistic replacement for Marc Cucurella.
Meanwhile, at right-back, Chelsea should cash in on Malo Gusto before his market value plummets, with Palestra and James options at right wing-back and right-back, respectively.
Midfielders
Chelsea need to wrap up a deal for Xhaka and replace Enzo Fernandez. As it stands, it looks unlikely that Real Madrid will fork out a nine-figure fee for the Blues vice-captain, so the sporting leadership team should propose a swap deal for Aurelien Tchouameni.
The France international wouldn't offer as much as Fernandez in the final third, but wouldn't necessarily be his job in a double pivot under Alonso. Tchoaumeni would be a far stronger holding midfield option, locking down the middle of the park alongside Moises Caicedo.
Enzo Fernandez
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Enzo Fernandez wants to leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside)
Fowwards
Chelsea need to sign a world-class, or at least close to world-class, left-sided forward who can play in the half spaces. Unfortunately for Alonso, the Blues aren't really in a position to throw their weight around this summer, having failed to qualify for either of UEFA's three club competitions.
In an ideal world, Chelsea break the bank to sign Kenan Yildiz from Juventus, but he signed a lucrative new contract extension earlier this year. Regardless of who the Blues sign, though, they need to sell or loan two of Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens.
Chelsea will also need to sell or loan at least two of Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, and Marc Guiu. The former would be the sensible option as a backup or even partner to Joao Pedro; meanwhile, the other three will need to accept that they will either have to be a third-choice striker at Stamford Bridge or leave.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson
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Nicolas Jackson impressed for Senegal in their defeat to France(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images)
Alonso can build dream Chelsea squad
Alonso could have a wealth of options at his disposal next season, so long as the sporting leadership team streamlines the squad and signs players with just as much quality as they have experience, while also paving pathways into the first-team for exciting prospects.
So, the Chelsea 25-man squad could look something like this;
Goalkeepers: Mike Penders, Yann Sommer (on free transfer), and Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Defenders: Marco Palestra, Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Maxence Lacroix (from Crystal Palace), Levi Colwill, John Stones (on a free transfer), Jorrel Hato, and Pep Chavarria (from Rayo Vallecano).
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Granit Xhaka (from Sunderland), Aurelien Tchouameni (from Real Madrid), Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos, and Valentin Barco.
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Forwards: Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, Kenan Yildiz (from Juventus), Jamie Gittens, and Geovany Quenda.
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