The summer transfer window is nearing its opening and for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea, there is so much that needs to be done before the start of the Spaniard’s debut season
14:29, 04 Jun 2026Updated 14:52, 04 Jun 2026
Chelsea are long-time admirers of Morgan Rogers(Image: Alex Caparros – UEFA)
Even before there was any talk of Xabi Alonso taking the reins at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s priority in the 2026 summer transfer market was clear: a centre-back, central midfielder and left-sided winger.
Following confirmation of Alonso’s appointment last month, nothing has changed. In fact, the Spaniard, who begins his role with the Blues on July 1, shares the same vision as the higher-ups inside the west London club, sources say, and is aligned with their transfer plans this summer.
With this being said, football.london takes a detailed look at how Alonso could line up if the club can get him three of the names they have been strongly linked with this summer. While we do not know what sort of system/formation Alonso is going to favour when at Stamford Bridge, we have stuck it in a conventional 4-2-3-1 shape for the time being.
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Dream Chelsea XI under Alonso
The Chelsea goalkeeper situation will be interesting next season. Robert Sanchez is widely expected to be the No.1 option by the time the campaign begins, however he is set to face stern competition from Mike Penders.
football.london understands the Belgian goalkeeper, who spent last season on loan with Strasbourg, is expected to be given an opportunity to shine in Alonso’s debut season. Elsewhere, Filip Jorgensen looks set to leave Stamford Bridge with the Danish goalkeeper desperate for more regular first-team football next term.
The right-back position is one of the only areas in the Chelsea squad that looks as if it could be exactly the same next season. The three main options – at the time of writing – are Reece James, Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong.
James signed a new long-term contract towards the back end of last season. There is no real speculation over Gusto’s future, while Chelsea sources insist Acheampong is untouchable this summer and in Alonso’s long-term plans at the Bridge.
In centre-back, though, there could be a number of changes. Chelsea are looking to sign a long-term partner for Levi Colwill. Maxence Lacroix is widely expected to depart Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window and sources say the Blues have talked internally about the 26-year-old defender, though he is one of numerous options being considered.
Maxence Lacroix is widely expected to leave Crystal Palace this summer(Image: Image Photo Agency)
Marc Cucurella could leave Chelsea before the end of the summer transfer window. Sources close to Cucurella and the club have told football.london of the Spain international’s desire to depart the club before the start of the new season. As for Chelsea, they will allow Cucurella to leave should they receive an appropriate offer.
Fortunately for the Blues, Jorrel Hato shone in the second half of his debut campaign in west London. The Netherlands international, whether it was in the centre of defence or the left-hand side, has been a mainstay in the side this calendar year.
In midfield, Chelsea are looking to add a starting-level option to partner Moises Caicedo. Enzo Fernandez may be off, if Real Madrid – or another club – cough up £120million this summer. Adam Wharton, a long-term target of the club’s, from Crystal Palace has been looked at again but the Blues will face stern competition for the England midfielder’s signature.
Chelsea are interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton(Image: Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket)
Estevao Willian will hopefully recover from his grade four hamstring injury in time for the start of the new season. Chelsea will be wary about overplaying the Brazil international given the nature of his hamstring problem, but in a ‘dream’ scenario he will be the right-sided option for Alonso. Unless, of course, the Spaniard has other ideas.
Plenty of Chelsea supporters are enthused about the prospect of Alonso getting his hands on Cole Palmer. Alonso worked wonders with Florian Wirtz during their success together at Bayer Leverkusen and many are predicting a similar outcome for Palmer, who undeniably underperformed throughout the 2025/26 season.
Morgan Rogers is an option for the west Londoners and – in many people’s eyes – would be the perfect option for the left-hand side of attack, as well as the No.10 role. Like Wharton, though, Chelsea could find it hard to bring him in given their lack of European football and the other clubs, who will have the aforementioned qualification to brag about, being interested as well.
Morgan Rogers has been linked with a move to Chelsea(Image: Dan Mullan)
Joao Pedro shone for the Blues in his debut campaign – and for the most part, did that as the sole No.9. With 20 goals in all competitions, Alonso will surely be planning on building the team around the Brazil international.
Dream Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato; Wharton, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Xabi Alonso’s ‘dream’ Chelsea line-up
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