Xabi Alonso has had the chance to work with several Chelsea academy stars during the pre-season.
What can Chelsea expect in the final weeks of the transfer window? Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea
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Eight Chelsea academy players have been involved with the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, but will any of them make Xabi Alonso’s first-team squad for the new season?
Alonso's decision to bring academy players on the pre-season tour made sense, with several senior players still on extended breaks following the World Cup.
These academy players are Ted Curd (GK), Tayo Subuloye (CB), Landon Emenalo (LB), Calvin Diakite (LB), Reggie Watson (CM), Reggie Walsh (CM), Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (CM), and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (RW).
At the start of the pre-season, many senior players had not reported back due to their involvement at the 2026 World Cup, and this presented Alonso with the opportunity to assess the academy talents.
Most of these academy stars made the starting line-up in Chelsea’s 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers last week, including Watson, who played a full 90 minutes.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has impressed whilst on Chelsea's tour this summer. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has impressed whilst on Chelsea's tour this summer. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
With more and more senior players arriving to join the squad for the pre-season, most of these academy players are expected to fly back to London.
The question is, will any of these eight make the step-up to the first team permanently?
Very little room for first-team promotion at Chelsea at the moment
Some of them clearly have the talent and skill set to make the leap, but given Chelsea’s bloated squad, it could prove difficult for Alonso to make room for these developing youngsters on the pitch.
Additionally, the lack of European football this season means many senior players will also be vying for minutes in domestic cup competitions.
On the bright side, players under the age of 21 are not required to be registered in a club’s 25-man Premier League squad list.
An official first-team promotion or two, however, seems very unlikely.
The most recent two players to have earned promotions from the academy are Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George in December 2024.
The former has mostly struggled for minutes despite the club’s recognition of his talent, while the latter joined Everton on a permanent deal earlier this summer.
Rather than forcing more promotions, it may be more sensible to send promising talents on loan instead.
Seven academy stars are currently on loan, and two of these pre-season inclusions could be next in line.
According to the BBC, Portsmouth are interested in signing Kavuma-McQueen on loan, while Walsh is exploring his options.
There is just too much competition on the right wing for the former and in midfield for the latter.
If any of the aforementioned eight have a chance to make more first-team appearances this season, it could be Emenalo.
Chelsea do not have as many options for the left-back role, with Jorrel Hato currently being the only natural choice in the senior squad.
Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria is expected to join Chelsea in the coming weeks, but Alonso will obviously need more than just two left-backs for the season.