The arrival ofMorgan Rogers from Aston Villa for£117 million, who looked destined to sign for rivals Arsenal, signals the pulling powerthe Blues still have despite no European football for the first time in nine years.
AnEnglandinternational whose peak years are still ahead of him, the 24-year-old is set to form a formidable pairing with former Manchester City youth teammateCole Palmer in the two number ten positions.
Marco PalestraandGeovany Quenda, who signed from Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon respectively, are also exciting options with further reinforcements rumoured to be coming through the door.
Xabi Alonso’s appointment came with intrigue and excitement, a manager who masterminded Bayer Leverkusen’s surpriseBundesliga triumph in 2023 with a free-flowing, attacking style of play.
His ability to interchange between a back three and a back four is tactical flexibility which hasn’t been seen atStamford Bridge for some time, with the ex-Real Madrid boss expected to line up with the former, which bore fruit in Germany.
The absence of European action may prove to be a blessing in disguise with a less heavy reliance on key stars. However, it may mean the plethora of players on the fringes have their minutes limited further with the prospect of just one game a week.
But how could Alonso set up in theirPremier League curtain-raiser against west London neighbours Fulham?
GK: Roberto Sanchez
The Marmite figure of the Chelsea squad,Sanchezhas been a mainstay in between the sticks since his arrival three years ago, yet has faced criticism for high-profile errors throughout.
Penders could take over in goal if Sanchez doesn't get off to a good start (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Penders could take over in goal if Sanchez doesn't get off to a good start (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Don’t be surprised to seeMike Penderstake the reins if he gets off to a poor start; the Belgium shot-stopper has returned to Chelsea following a standout loan stint at sister club Strasbourg.
RCB: Reece James
Injuries have continually haltedJames’ career, but a fully fit England international will be a key asset. Alonso’s favouring of a back three may result in James moving away from his conventional right-back berth to form a defensive backline which he flourished in underThomas Tuchel.
The Blues have several centre-backs on the books which they are eager to dispense of this summer, and James' defensive versatility may help facilitate those departures.
CB: Maxence Lacroix
The first player aged over 26 which Chelsea have signed for a transfer fee sinceRaheem Sterling,Lacroix’s move from Crystal Palace signals an important shift in their recruitment strategy to have more experienced heads in the dressing room.
Starring for France in the World Cup (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Starring for France in the World Cup (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
His£52 million switch could prove to be a steal, with the French centre-back shining in a back three to help Palace lift the UEFA Europa Conference League last term and will slot in at the heart of their defence.
LCB: Levi Colwill
While there is expected to be a mass exodus of defenders this summer, one player who won’t be going anywhere isColwill. He was sorely missed last term, having suffered an ACL injury last pre-season, and only returned for the final three games of the season, yet a summer of recuperation should prove highly beneficial.
Left-footed centre-backs are few and far between today, and an injury-free campaign will massively boost Chelsea’s hopes of challenging in the upper echelons of the division.
RWB: Marco Palestra
A summer arrival indicative of Alonso’s preference for a back three,Palestra’s signing to play at right-wing back is a shrewd addition for£43 million.
Their first new face through the door (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Their first new face through the door (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong’s role as a lung-busting full-back at Leverkusen is likely to mirror the Italian’s role this season, which he will perform admirably. He showed that in abundance for Atlanta last season and looks to be tailor-made for the right-wing back role with his high work rate over long distances and physical presence.
CM: Moises Caicedo
One of the first names on the teamsheet,Caicedois Chelsea’s midfield linchpin and could be even more effective in a pressing style of play.
The Ecuador midfielder will have the freedom to roam forward more and lead the counter-press, and his ability to cover ground seamlessly will align perfectly with Alonso's philosophy.
CM: Alex Scott
With the potential departure of influential midfielderEnzo Fernandez, who played the most minutes out of any Chelsea player last term, the Blues have already eyed up one of the hottest prospects in the division, Bournemouth’sScott, as a replacement.
The Blues are interested in the young English midfielder (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The Blues are interested in the young English midfielder (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, they are very different players, with the ex-Bristol City man being able to dictate play. It may hint at a switch towards a back four and would provide Alonso with another tactical dimension, with the Cherries already rejecting a£60 million bid for their star midfielder.
LWB: Pep Chavarria
The seismic blow of losing world championMarc Cucurella to Real Madrid means Chelsea will need to be in the market for a specialist left-wing back, with Jorrel Hato primarily deployed in a more defensive position.
Chavarria of Rayo Vallecano is at the peak of his powers at 28 and shone in this position in La Liga last term. The late boomer was statistically better than Cucurella going forward last season and could be available for around£30 million.
Touted with a switch to the Premier League (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Touted with a switch to the Premier League (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
RW: Cole Palmer
A below-par season by his standards, which coincided with him missing out on the England squad, a summer of rest forPalmermay help get him back to his fine form of previous years.
He notchedten goals and recorded one assist, a far cry from his previous two glittering seasons at Stamford Bridge, but will be a key component in this new-look Chelsea side.
ST: Joao Pedro
After his surprise omission from Brazil's World Cup squad,Pedro will have even greater motivation to prove his goal-scoring credentials this season.
Alonso deployed the physical presence of Victor Boniface in his all-conquering Leverkusen side, yet the 24-year-old is a more agile, mobile forward who flourishes with balls in behind while also possessing the intensity to press from the front.
LW: Morgan Rogers
A signing which not many would have foreseen coming,Rogers cutting in from the left as the left-sided attacking midfielder is a frightening prospect.
He was a vital asset in Unai Emery’s pressing unit last season and will carry that forward to west London, with his versatility across the forward line adding another string to his bow.