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The ex-Liverpool midfielder has been named as Chelsea’s new manager on a four-year contract
Chelsea have confirmed that Xabi Alonso will become the club’s fifth permanent manager in the BlueCo era this summer, after the ex-Real Madrid boss signed on the dotted line of a four-year contract that begins in July. It’s his first role since leaving Los Blancos back in January.
Unlike previous managers under the current regime, Alonso is expected to have a decent amount of sway over recruitment - something that is reflected in his traditional job title of ‘manager’, rather than the more commonplace ‘head coach’. It will be music to the ears of many Chelsea fans who have become disillusioned with the club’s controversial transfer policy in recent seasons.
While the club unlikely to be able to offer potential new signings European football next season, Alonso’s standing in the game could well be enough to convince players to join him in west London, and it will be fascinating to see who the Blues manage to attract to the club over the summer months.
As Chelsea gear up for a transfer window they simply have to get right, we’ve taken a look at some of Alonso’s former players who could make their way to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Past Alonso favourites who he could sign for Chelsea
With Enzo Fernandez seemingly batting his eyelashes in the direction of the Bernabeu, and indeed paying the price for it with a two-match ban imposed by Chelsea, some form of swap deal could work well for both clubs. Given Fernandez’s enormous value, however, you’d expect the Blues to demand a big wad of cash to arrive in a bag alongside Guler in the private jet.
Edmond Tapsoba: Chelsea’s defence has been shambolic at times this season, with their attempts to play out from the back continually resulting in calamity. Alonso won’t change the approach - he’s very much in favour of patiently building from deep, so he’ll need to sign a defender of two who are composed enough to do so.
An ‘Invincible’ title winner under the Spanish coach at Bayer Leverkusen, centre-back Tapsoba is renowned for his line-breaking passes and composure on the ball, and could slot in seamlessly next to Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, say. Chelsea have been linked with the Burkina Faso international as far back as 2022, and would do well to prioritise getting this deal done.
Fran Garcia: Left-back is an area where the Blues really need to strengthen. Marc Cucurella may have the stamina, speed and indeed voluminous plumage of a North African ostrich, but he can’t play ninety every week. Real Madrid’s Garcia would be an excellent understudy for his compatriot at Chelsea, with Jorrel Hato looking unconvincing in the role at present.
Garcia was a regular in the side under Alonso, but struggled for gametime under Carlo Ancelotti before him and Alvaro Arbeloa after him. Like Cucurella, he’s got pace to burn and a seemingly limitless petrol tank. Rotating the two could see the Blues grind their opponents down to a pulp over the course of ninety minutes by repeatedly bombing down the wing.
Piero Hincapie: Capable of playing either in central defence or at left-back, Hincapie has largely filled the latter role for Arsenal this season. However, they’re highly likely to sign an upgrade in that position once the transfer window opens next month. He’s currently on loan with the Gunners from Bayer Leverkusen, but it remains to be seen whether the north Londoners will trigger the option to sign him permanently.
The 24-year-old could thrive once again in a back three under Alonso, and it’s worth noting that that Blues did actually rivalled Arsenal for his signature last summer. You’d think Chelsea’s new manager would be keen to get the deal done, and that the player would be happy to reunite with his former coach while still being able to remain living in London. In Spanish, his surname translates as ‘emphasis’ - that’s exactly what the Blues need at the back.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: It’s a bit of a stretch, yes, but hear us out. After his rumoured training ground bust up with Federico Valverde, the France international could well be on the move this summer. He’s been linked with Chelsea over the past couple of weeks, too, but it is worth noting that transfer guru Fabrizio Romano rubbished suggestions of the deal happening last week.
That said, things move fast in football. Jose Mourinho is expected to take the reins at the Bernabeu this summer, and if he decides he doesn’t want the France international, he could well be up for grabs. Like Garcia, he was excellent under Alonso for Los Blancos, but his wage demands could ultimately rule the Blues out of the race to sign him.
Who will Chelsea sell this summer?
At the back, Chelsea desperately need a new number one, with Robert Sanchez unable to prove his competence as a ball-playing goalkeeper. The Spaniard, whose shot-stopping is impressive despite his often chaotic approach to distribution, may well be moved on to make room for a higher quality alternative.
Defensive exits look likely, too. The Blues will do all in their power to cling on to Marc Cucurella, amid links with Catalan giants Barcelona. Players they may actively push to leave include Tosin Adarabioyo, who joined on a free transfer back in 2024. Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi, who cost the club a combined fee of over £70m when they joined from Monaco in 2023, should both leave, too.
In midfield and attack, the aforementioned Fernandez exit to Real Madrid won’t be a story that dies down any time soon. Jamie Gittens has failed to impress in his first season at the club, as has Alejandro Garnacho. Elsewhere, Pedro Neto’s lack of end product remains a concern, while Liam Delap’s disastrous first season could potentially be his last. It will be a busy summer for Chelsea, that’s for sure.
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