Xabi Alonso has announced his first Chelsea squad, with a 27-man group travelling Down Under to take on A-League club Western Sydney and fellow London based Premier League outfit Tottenham in the Sydney Super Cup.
Headlined by Cole Palmer, who was not in England’s World Cup squad and will be eager to prove he should have been this season, Alonso has named a side sprinkled with big names, including Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, French defender Wesley Fofana and Brazilian duo Estevao and Joao Pedro. While returning striker Nicolas Jackson, who was on loan at Bayern Munich last season, is not included, striker Liam Delap gets the chance to steal the inside running vying for positions this season.
Chelsea’s group of World Cup stars, including England’s Reece James, Argentina’s Enzo Fernandes and Portugal’s Pedro Neto are not included in a contingent largely filled by academy prospects, as well as new signing, fullback Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
The Sydney Super Cup brings four blockbuster fixtures to Sydney: Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers (28 July), Tottenham Hotspur vs Sydney FC (29 July), and Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (1 August) and Chelsea FC Women v A-Leagues All Stars Women (12 August)— get your tickets now at sydneysupercup.com.au
CHELSEA AT THE SYDNEY SUPER CUP: The Xabi Alonso era begins in Sydney on Tuesday: there’s one thing 350 million Chelsea fans want to know
Excitingly for Australian fans, the squad includes Australian-born academy star Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 16, who recently signed a deal with the club for when he turns 17, with scholarship terms agreed initially. Considered one of the academy’s most promising talents, he turned interest to commit his future to the Blues.
Born in Sydney to an Aussie mother and a Sudanese father, the teenage sensation is continuing to make waves abroad having already spent time training with Chelsea’s senior side. The England international, who is also eligible for Australia through his mother, has been pursued by France.
He headed to the UK very early in life, opting to join Chelsea at age six, with Arsenal and Crystal Palace also interested in the midfielder, who began as a centre-back before transitioning in Under-13s, according to the BBC.
Nicoll-Jazuli only turned 16 on January 6, but already became the youngest player ever to start for Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League against Benfica in September, before scoring in the following match against Ajax. He has also taken on Qarabag and Barcelona.
Image source: Mahdi Nicoll Jazuli/Instagram
Alonso, who is Chelsea’s eighth manager since BlueCo took over ownership of the club in 2022, comes in hoping to return the club to its previous heights, with the Blues finishing 10th last season in the Premier League, missing out of European competition entirely. Alonso, meanwhile, is looking to rebuild his managerial career after being sacked by Real Madrid after just seven months.
Chelsea have splashed the cash in the transfer market in a bid to ignite their move up the table, luring England World Cup star Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a British record $225 million deal, while they have been linked to various different rumours, including $65million-rated Argentina midfielder. Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho sealed a loan move to Aston Villa overnight.
Chelsea Squad at the Sydney Cup
Your Next Read
By commenting, you agree to our Commenting Guidelines