Chelsea are preparing for their first Premier League season under Xabi Alonso with the new manager having some decisions to make
Xabi Alonso during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan.
Xabi Alonso has some decisions to make over his squad before the end of the transfer window. (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso has some big decisions to make as he prepares for his first season as Chelsea manager. The Spaniard has overseen five pre-season games so far, with strikers catching the eye.
There has been a lot of talk over the future of some of Chelsea’s forward players this summer, with Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap two players who could move on before the end of the transfer window.
Aston Villa have been linked with an interest in Jackson, who spent last season on loan with Bayern Munich. He has since returned to Stamford Bridge and is taking part in pre-season.
While he is yet to find the net, he has looked sharp in his performances, which is likely to catch the eye of any suitors.
Delap has also had regular game time in pre-season. After coming on as a second-half substitute against AC Milan on Saturday, the striker was in the starting line-up on Sunday when the Blues took on Johor Darul Ta’zim.
He scored twice from the penalty spot, either side of half-time in the 3-3 draw. Delap is one of the players Chelsea are thought to be open to letting go this summer.
One player who is expected to stay is Joao Pedro. He has been one of the standouts for Chelsea in pre-season, scoring a hat-trick in the 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers before scoring a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over AC Milan.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan.
Joao Pedro has been among the goals for Chelsea during pre-season. (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Alonso has added to his attacking options in the transfer window with the signing of experienced striker Danny Welbeck. The former England man made his debut against Juventus.
Altogether, Chelsea currently have seven strikers in their squad. Alongside Pedro, Jackson, Delap and Welbeck, the Blues also have Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and David Datro Fofana, with the latter two expected to leave.
That leaves Alonso with a decision to make over the other five. Welbeck and Pedro will be key members of the squad, but given their impact in pre-season, the Chelsea boss could potentially turn to Jackson and/or Delap as back-up.
If Chelsea do decide to cash in, then the positive pre-season could give them a reason to increase their asking price to any interested parties.
There’s then a decision to be made over Emegha, who completed his move from Strasbourg this summer. Injury has prevented him from taking part in pre-season so far, but he could be someone to provide cover and another option up top.
However, if Chelsea do decide to keep hold of either Delap or Jackson, then it could allow Emegha to be loaned out to get valuable game time.
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