Alex-Scott-England
It wasn't perfect, but Chelsea got the job done against Fulham on the opening game of the 2025/26 season. Xabi Alonso's side produced a scintillating attacking display, and there's no question that rivals will be concerned.
Alonso took over a beleaguered outfit who finished tenth in the Premier League last season, but there is certainly a feel-good factor at the club now, with three points at Craven Cottage to start the season a perfect foundation from which the manager can build.
Cole Palmer: exceptional. Morgan Rogers scored a debut goal, and Joao Pedro netted first, after only 31 seconds. There is a lot to be excited about.
REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
However, a somewhat erratic second-half called for the arrival of an elite controlling midfielder such as Alonso has been pushing to sign since taking the reins.
With Enzo Fernandez's future at Stamford Bridge anything but certain, it would be wise to keep a close eye on Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who has been the subject of a series of bids from the London club.
Why Chelsea still want to sign Alex Scott
Chelsea were not happy that their bid to sign Scott from Bournemouth was made public. BlueCo had seen a £64m bid rejected for the emerging England star, who trained with Thomas Tuchel's side in the build-up to the World Cup, but did not land a seat on the plane.
His time will come, and Chelsea believe they can help him realise his potential, having made him one of their top targets this summer.
REUTERS/Lee Smith
It has been said that Scott plays with composure beyond his years. He is certainly among the coolest passers in the Premier League, with his decision-making and deft touches shaping games.
The 23-year-old has severed contract talks with his outfit as Chelsea continue to probe, but the Cherries remain insistent that he is going nowhere.
Chelsea's late-window activity is dependent on outgoings. In the middle of the park, Fernandez is the one to watch. The Argentina superstar wants to leave and has attracted plenty of interest, but Chelsea's £120m price tag could prove prohibitive.
Should the right cogs shift, though, the Blues could find that Scott might not be the perfect Fernandez replacement. Alonso, savvy tactician that he is, has his eye on an alternative.
How Chelsea can make a better signing than Alex Scott
Real Madrid might have publicly denounced Fernandez as a summer transfer target, but the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona remain keen, with the latter having recently made a call to better understand the conditions set by Chelsea.
If Fernandez does go, Chelsea might need a more experienced replacement than someone like Scott.
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According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, Alonso would "love" to complete a deal for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi before the transfer deadline, though the Gunners will demand £70m for the former Real Sociedad man, who they signed just one year ago.
Arsenal and Chelsea have conducted business any number of times in recent years, and with Bruno Guimarares having signed for the Emirates side in a £75m deal this month, the pathway could be clear for Zubimendi to make a cross-capital switch.
We'll just have to wait and see, but [Adam] Wharton or Alex Scott are certainly two to watch to replace Fernandez. And also keep an eye on Martin Zubimendi.
Alonso is a big fan of him and he would love to bring him to Chelsea, and Zubamendi is also a big fan of Alonso. So the key there is whether Arsenal would sell but obviously he wants to play.
Zubimendi is one of the most elegant and quietly intelligent midfielders in the Premier League. He reads the game like a scholar. Moreover, his maestro-like style is something that Alonso knows well, and the new Blues coach could be the key to establishing him as a superstar after a solid if unspectacular year with the north Londoners.
Arguably more comfortable as a dominant figure on the ball than Scott, who likes to spring forward with his fleet footwork, zipping up the pitch like a pinball in control of its own trajectory, Zubimendi might just be the perfect addition for this Chelsea side, the perfect counterpoint alongside Moises Caicedo.
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Premier League Stats (25/26)
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In Zubimendi, Alonso could find the perfect profile to charge his system, a metronomic midfielder who creates a beat and sustains it over the course of a game.
Scott is also showing signs of this quality, but Zubimendi is arguably a cut above at this moment in time, already accomplished for club and country, challenging for and winning the biggest titles.
Zubimendi might have burned out toward the end of the season, but the fact that Declan Rice was the only outfield Arsenal player to have earned more minutes than him speaks volumes toward the high regard he is held in.
Martin-Zubimendi-Arsenal
Whether Fernandez will be a Chelsea player by the end of the summer transfer window remains to be seen, but BlueCo's concerted attempt to sign a new midfielder makes a telling comment toward Alonso's tactical desires.
Chelsea have a real shot at resurgence this season, challenging Arsenal for the Premier League title.
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