Chelsea were linked with a sea of top-tier targets during the summer transfer window and may end up kicking themselves at not signing stars based on their progress
Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea after his sides 4-3 win during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge
Some of the names Xabi Alonso's Chelsea were linked with over the summer are faring better than others(Image: Robin Jones)
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Xabi Alonso's first summer transfer window in charge of Chelseawitnessed an audacious spend of more than £300million. And yet there was a bevy of talent left on the table after being linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
The new manager brought in fresh faces across the park, with Morgan Rogers topping the bill after his £117m move from Aston Villa. However, the club's overall spend could have been significantly more had they succeeded in landing other targets.
Some of those linked over the summer have seen fruitful starts to the season elsewhere, while others have faltered. football.london takes a closer look, with some potentially still of interest to Chelsea later down the line.
Alex Scott
One name who will undoubtedly see links with Stamford Bridge revived in future, Alex Scott was touted as an upgrade in midfield. In the end, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson were the only central midfielders signed while Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos headed for the exit.
Scott, 23, may wish he made the jump given Bournemouth are one of only three Premier League clubs yet to win this season. He remains among Marco Rose's more reliable performers, however, in a midfield that has at least remained consistent.
Folarin Balogun
No fewer than four strikers left Stamford Bridge over the summer and Monaco's Folarin Balogun was the subject of links as a replacement. The United States star came closest to joining Everton in the end before doubts over his medical dashed the move and he's since played just 14 minutes for the French side due to injury.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Surprise rumours suggested Chelsea and Manchester United were each offered the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal. Speculation was at one point rife that the England star's status in north London was uncertain, only for a move to be ruled out.
Lewis-Skelly's versatility at left-back and midfield would have been a boon for Chelsea given certain departures over the summer. He's since started four of Arsenal's five league outings and looks like an important cog in Mikel Arteta's set-up.
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly was the subject of surprise links to Chelsea(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mamadou Sangare
A midfield signing many Premier League sides may be kicking themselves they didn't make. Mamadou Sangare has even received Gary Lineker's backing as possibly the best Premier League "signing of the season" following some furious early form for Brentford.
The former Lens man has slotted effortlessly into Keith Andrews' side as they've gone unbeaten (two wins, three draws). His opening-day assist in the 3-0 win over Spurs sent early signals of his prowess, displaying a superb knack for breaking up play in midfield.
He has, however, since been hooked at half-time on a booking against Sunderland and dropped from the XI for the 3-0 win over Chelsea. He's currently on international duty for Mali.
Alejandro Balde
Chelsea and Man United were each linked with moves for Alejandro Balde, the former interested in the wake of Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid. Balde, 22, remained at Barcelona and is now their third-choice left-back, having played just 12 minutes this term under Hansi Flick.
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid sits on the bench prior to the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Julian Alvarez came close to a Premier League return this summer, with Chelsea and Arsenal both interested(Image: Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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If Julian Alvarez did return to Premier League shores this summer, Arsenal always looked the most likely destination. However, Chelsea were also in the running as the likes of Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu each moved on.
After attempting to execute a move to Barcelona, Alvarez has endured a frustrating start to the season under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. He's yet to find the back of the net in all competitions but did contribute one assist in Atleti's Champions League defeat at Liverpool, with injury limiting his minutes prior to the international break.
Alessandro Bastoni
Chelsea's links to Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni date back a number of years. Those ties are ongoing, though the ship may have now sailed as the player prepares to turn 28 next April.
It's been a case of more of the same for Bastoni and Inter as they remain unbeaten in Serie A and have dropped just two points this term. However, the defence has perhaps shown something to be desired after keeping just one clean sheet in six games across all competitions
Morgan Gibbs-White
It seems only a matter of time before Morgan Gibbs-White joins one of England's elite - but it was not to be this summer. The Nottingham Forest captain hasn't allowed another summer of rumours to affect his personal progress, collecting a goal and two assists in the league as Forest sit 13th.
He was again a surprise omission from Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad for their Nations League fixtures. But he did eventually get a late call-up after five players pulled out.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White continues to impress for Forest(Image: Oli Scarff/AFP)
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Lucas Bergvall
Another name listed on the conveyor belt of possible midfield additions, Lucas Bergvall ultimately stayed at Tottenham after being convinced by Roberto De Zerbi. The Swede remains largely a fringe figure at Spurs, however, with the vast majority of his minutes coming in cup competition.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton yet again managed to keep hold of Jarrad Branthwaite despite a glut of exit speculation this summer. And it's just as well from the Toffees' perspective, as he's played a pivotal role uniting a defence that's helped the club stay unbeaten in the Premier League.
No team in England's top flight has conceded fewer goals than Everton, with three clean sheets from five league outings. Branthwaite's form was even enough to earn an England call-up ahead of Levi Colwill.
Jules Kounde
Ears pricked up at Stamford Bridge following reports Barcelona were open to selling Jules Kounde over the summer. The World Cup-winner was touted as a potential money-maker for the Catalans as they seek to balance the books following Camp Nou renovations.
Flick has preferred Eric Garcia for the right-back position since that wave of speculation, too. Kounde, 27, has made just one start in La Liga and was an unused substitute in Barca's last three league games prior to the international break.
Granit Xhaka
Sunderland took great offence to Chelsea's paltry £8m offer for captain Granit Xhaka at the start of the transfer window. The former Arsenal skipper continues to deliver for the Black Cats, playing every minute of their campaign thus far in both the league and Europe at 34.