Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Wembley Stadium on April 26, 2026 in London, England
Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain future at Chelsea(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Chelsea have plenty of work to do before the transfer window slams shut. So far this summer, the Blues have invested nearly £250million into Xabi Alonso's squad while raising about £150m in sales, yet there are still several players who need to be signed and sold in the coming weeks.
Speaking to reporters before embarking on a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, the Chelsea manager warned his players that he and the sporting leadership team will be exploring their options up until the final day of the transfer window.
Alonso said: "We have to be ready. The market is open for a few weeks. We need to be aware of different positions, different situations, so for sure, we have a plan, an idea, and we need to assess in the right moments.
"We can’t say what’s going to happen, but some things might happen. We need to know that probably there will still be some movements. We need to be flexible and quick to act.
"The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. Probably it will change until the last day of the market being open. We want to build a competitive team.
"We are in that process. We have great quality, great talent, and we need to know what it takes to compete in the Premier League. We want a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality."
The Blues have made great progress since, but there's still a lot of work to be done if Alonso wants to get his hands on some silverware. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what the Chelsea sporting leadership team need to do before the transfer window shuts at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1.
Chelsea fire sale funds final big transfer
Before the Chelsea sporting leadership team welcomes any more players to Stamford Bridge, they need to significantly reduce the squad size by cashing in on wantaway players, securing loans for young players, and finding new homes for those who are surplus to requirements.
The Blues could recoup a significant amount of money from the sales of just Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto, who have both been linked with moves to Manchester City this summer. Once Chelsea offload those on the fringes of the first team, they would have more than enough funds to add one more big name to Alonso's squad.
Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto of Chelsea celebrate
Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto could leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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To be loaned: Mamadou Sarr, Aaron Anselmino, Marc Guiu, Caleb Wiley, Omari Kellyman, Shim Mheuka, Reggie Walsh, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, and Kendry Paez.
To be sold: Pedro Neto, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, David Datro Fofana, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, and Dario Essugo.
Alonso puts finishing touches on rebuild
Chelsea should sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth before the transfer window slams shut. The 22-year-old midfielder would be a great addition to the squad; not only would he bridge the gap in quality from Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez to those next in line, but he'd also have the chance to become an undisputed starter.
Scott may not be the towering figure that Alonso could do with in the middle of the park, but with the Blues expected to dominate possession, his ability to dictate play and mazy ball-carrying to escape the press will come in handy.
Alex Scott of Bournemouth during friendly fixture between St Pauli and AFC Bournemouth at Saalfelden Arena on July 24, 2026 in Saalfelden, Austria
Alex Scott has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Chelsea should also consider signing David Alaba on a free transfer; he could be a very good deputy to Jorrel Hato in the left centre-half role in a back three. The 34-year-old defender has struggled to stay fit recently, but, with no European football, Alonso could carefully manage his minutes.
Alaba wouldn't necessarily be a starter, but he's a proven winner with great quality and experience at the very highest level – just like Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. Although the Austrian only played five times under the Blues manager at Los Blancos, they've worked with each other before.
David Alaba
David Alaba is a free agent(Image: Getty Images)
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To be signed: Alex Scott (from Bournemouth) and David Alaba (free agent).
Chelsea keep Fernandez and Jackson
Next, the Chelsea sporting leadership team needs to resolve the future of Enzo Fernandez. It could take a while to earn back the trust of his teammates, the staff, and the supporters, but the midfielder could still have a future at Stamford Bridge if he really wants to.
Fernandez would probably need to begin by apologising for his actions, having previously flirted with Real Madrid, before committing his future to the club, perhaps by agreeing to a new contract to prove his loyalty. Once he has a foot in the door, the Argentina international can then let his performances on the pitch do the talking.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez is set to return to Chelsea training at Cobham this week(Image: Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
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Regardless of the question marks over his future, the Argentina international is a top player, and he makes the Blues a much better outfit. So, in an ideal world, Chelsea tame Fernandez and he's welcomed back into the fold.
The higher-ups at Stamford Bridge also need to persuade Nicolas Jackson to stay. It will be difficult to convince the striker to essentially accept a deputy role, but he'd provide great backup to Joao Pedro.
So, the Chelsea squad should look something like this at the end of the transfer window:
Goalkeepers
Robert Sanchez, Mike Penders, Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Defenders
Reece James, Marco Palestra, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato, David Alaba (free agent), Pep Chavarria.
Midfielders
Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Alex Scott (from Bournemouth), Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson.
Wingers
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Geovany Quenda, Mykhailo Mudryk.
Strikers