Xabi Alonso will be keeping his eye out for a multitude of things when his Chelsea side take on Juventus but the manager might be focused on one area a little bit more
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso during a training session(Image: Asuka Chan/Eurasia Sport Images)
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New Chelsea signing Danny Welbeck flew into Hong Kong earlier this week and he was straight in the thick of it 24 hours after landing.
The 35-year-old striker, signed for an undisclosed fee (sources say said fee was minimal) from Brighton last week, took part in the Blues' open training session. More than 15,000 supporters made the trip to the Kai Tak Stadium to see their heroes, old and new, take to the pitch in the air-conditioned arena.
Welbeck arriving at Stamford Bridge means Xabi Alonso now has six senior strikers on his books - and that isn't including David Datro Fofana, the 23-year-old Ivorian forward who hasn't played for the first team since May 2023 and Chelsea are actively looking to sell this summer. Alonso has Welbeck, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Emmanuel Emegha to choose from.
And with that said, football.london takes a close look at the five strikers (minus the new arrival of Welbeck) for Alonso to decide between.
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson arrived in Sydney last week for the first leg of Chelsea's pre-season tour but the striker did not feature against Tottenham at the weekend. Incidentally, Spurs, sources say, are one of numerous clubs to have expressed an interest in the forward. However, the north Londoners - as it stands - are unlikely to make a move this summer.
Nicolas Jackson in Chelsea training
Nicolas Jackson during Chelsea's open training session on Tuesday night(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Aston Villa are keen, though, and that remains a possibility for Jackson, who is also eager to reunite with Unai Emery after the pair's time together at Villarreal. For Chelsea, a decision is yet to be made on Jackson and Alonso is planning on assessing the situation over the remainder of pre-season.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, Alonso was asked about the future of Jackson. He said: "Nico is a great player. He's a threat to play against any defence, so we want to have players that can compete, and Nico for sure is one of them.
"We need to go day by day checking options, but we are happy that Nico is with us."
Emmanuel Emegha
Emegha's role in the squad has not been defined yet either. It doesn't help that the Dutchman, signed from Strasbourg this summer on a pre-agreed deal, was not able to travel to Sydney for the first leg of the tour due to a hamstring injury.
Instead, the 23-year-old forward has been doing fitness work at the club's Cobham base as he aims to be fit for the Real Sociedad friendly at Stamford Bridge later in the month. Emegha had made a positive first impression on Alonso, scoring in both behind-closed-door friendlies against Crawley Town and Bromley prior to his injury.
Emmanuel Emegha in Chelsea training
Emmanuel Emegha missed out on Chelsea's pre-season tour due to a hamstring problem(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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At 6ft 5in tall, Emegha offers something a bit different to Alonso should the game be requiring a change. The Dutchman, though, is not a one-trick pony and is actually an extremely speedy striker who loves to stretch the opposition defenders with direct running.
Liam Delap
Out of the striker options, Delap seems the most likely - at this point - to depart Stamford Bridge before next month's deadline. While Delap is keen to stay and prove himself under Alonso after a disappointing debut season in west London, Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for the former Manchester City academy star.
Liam Delap
Liam Delap is available for sale this summer(Image: Joseph Dinesh Daniel/Eurasia Sport Images)
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Everton have expressed an interest in the 23-year-old striker, sources say, as well as a number of other Premier League clubs. Chelsea paid £30million for Delap just over 12 months ago and despite an underwhelming season last time around, the Blues are seeking a profit on the striker.
Marc Guiu
Chelsea are open to selling Guiu this summer should their £25m valuation be met for the former Barcelona striker. Guiu has admirers from England and abroad, though so far there have been no direct club-to-club talks.
Unfortunately for Guiu, he appears to be last in the pecking order in the striker department at Stamford Bridge and it seems unlikely he has a future in west London.
Marc Guiu
Marc Guiu is available to leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
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Joao Pedro
The Brazil international is going nowhere. Barcelona were interested in signing Joao Pedro towards the start of the summer transfer window but were issued a 'hands off' warning by Chelsea, who consider their 2025/26 top goal scorer as untouchable.
In fact, there are rumours of the Brazilian signing a new contract in SW6. He is likely to be Alonso's go-to in the centre-forward position for the upcoming season but he is more naturally a No.10.
Chelsea consider Joao Pedro not for sale this summer
Joao Pedro is not for sale this summer(Image: George Wood)
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