After taking over, Xabi Alonso is expected to have a “huge say” in Chelsea’s moves, with a focus on some “experienced” players who are believed to be very much on the radar of a totally different kind of appointment for the Blues.
With the appointment of the dreadfully inexperienced Liam Rosenior, BlueCo at Chelsea had gradually rendered the manager’s importance redundant.
But it appears that West London’s perspective has changed as a result of Rosenior’s terrible rule.
The highly respected Alonso has agreed to a four-year contract with the Blues. Despite having just played for Real Madrid for a short time, the Spaniard’s reputation is still intact, and this Los Blancos team has proven to be completely uncoachable.
After a spell in the wilderness, he is an exceptional manager who can once again establish Chelsea at the top of the English game. According to The Guardian, Alonso is anticipated to have significant influence over hiring at Stamford Bridge, in contrast to some of his predecessors during the BlueCo period.
For Alonso’s idea to succeed, higher-ups appear prepared to give up control, and the Spaniard’s task starts with a crucial summer transfer window.
According to reports, experience would be given priority at a number of critical positions, such as goalkeeper, center defender, and out wide. These five players are potential targets for this summer.
The Robin Roefs
Mike Penders is going to the World Cup with Belgium because of his outstanding performance while on loan at Strasbourg. He could overtake Robert Sánchez as Chelsea’s top player, but the Blues will most likely add another to their depth chart.
Sánchez is eventually unreliable as the team’s long-term starting goalie. The club should be able to sever connections with the Spaniard and start again with another managerial change.
Robin Roes of Sunderland appears to be a perfect fit for Alonso, who needs a more composed and collected presence in possession.
The Dutchman is a calm presence between the posts, fostering composure in his defense while projecting the image of a goalie who is in complete control of every circumstance. Most importantly, he hasn’t made any mistakes in his maiden Premier League season.
With 104 saves and the second-highest save percentage (70.3%), he is ranked second in the division, according to Opta.
Even though he is only 23 years old and still has a lot of potential to develop, he already appears to be among the best in the Premier League.
Sunderland demonstrated last summer with Jobe Bellingham that they are prepared to sell valuable assets for a fair price, and a number of them would be interested in Roefs.
Diomandé Ousmane
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Ousmane Diomande has been linked to Chelsea for years, and Geovany Quenda, the center back’s colleague, will shortly join the team.
At the age of 22, Diomande is a highly skilled defender with a plethora of experience. He has played for Sporting CP squads that have won titles under Ruben Amorim, and he recently assisted the Portuguese team in making it to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since the competition’s rebranding.
Alonso may frequently change defensive arrangements in West London because he has performed well in a back three and four.
The incoming manager will be intrigued by Diomande’s versatility and like his possession skills. In their most recent European match, the defender’s incredible trivela ball for Maxi Araújo broke through Arsenal’s tenacious defense and ought to have resulted in the first goal.
After years of flirting, he appears to be the ideal choice for Alonso, and Chelsea may have to make the decision. But he won’t be cheap because of the new contract he signed in January.
Senesi Marcos
Not every deal Chelsea makes this summer needs to be spectacular or enable grandiose forecasts of a return to Premier League supremacy. Some will be subtle, clever additions that are essential to the team’s balance.
In the FA Cup final, Levi Colwill demonstrated that Alonso can rely on him as a defender. 2026–2027 looks to be quite intriguing for the Englishman, who is hoping to avoid any more significant fitness setbacks after recuperating from an ACL tear.
However, depth behind Colwill might be targeted, and Chelsea is rumored to be interested in Marcos Senesi, an upcoming free agent. Senesi, who is getting close to thirty and has plenty of Premier League experience, would be a helpful rotational addition to provide Colwill with some rest.
The Argentine is a sophisticated operator in possession who is excellent at passing over long distances, but he is undoubtedly not without flaws. Senesi undoubtedly has the skill to succeed in a more complex system, but the methodical Alonso favors a slow, short approach.
Although Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly in the lead, the Blues could gain an advantage if they are relegated, which Chelsea could accomplish on Tuesday night.
Gordon, Anthony
Despite a poor season on Tyneside, Newcastle United is sticking with Eddie Howe, but it appears that Anthony Gordon will no longer be the focal point of their forward line.
The England international is expected to depart the team this summer and is apparently pursued by a wide range of teams, including Bayern Munich. Some might question why Gordon, a player who can occasionally flatter to deceive but is electric during purple periods of form, is being pursued by Europe’s most formidable attacking force.
Gordon is a manager’s dream, despite his ups and downs. Without the ball, he completes a great deal of work, and Alonso would surely appreciate that effort.
One-on-one situations lack creativity, yet Gordon’s sheer willpower allows him to overpower, suffocate, and get past defenders. Additionally, his presence would accomplish two goals at once due to his performance as a striker in the Champions League this season.
In addition to providing excellent protection for João Pedro up top, Gordon can play wide left, where Chelsea sorely needs an improvement following the subpar debut seasons of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
The manager will not need Liam Delap’s services. However, Nicolas Jackson might have a chance.
Barcola, Bradley
Bradley Barcola, the overlooked horseman of Paris Saint-Germain’s four-pronged attack, may decide to leave the French city in order to become a star somewhere else. Though it didn’t exactly work out for the Brazilian, it’s the Neymar strategy.
Even though young Estêvão will be out for some time due to a serious hamstring tear, Chelsea’s wing play has been stagnant for the majority of 2025–2026. Barcola is compelled to occupy a variety of zones under Luis Enrique’s flexible framework, and Alonso would prefer someone who can perform down both flanks with similar comfort.
Barcola, who has a 2028 contract with PSG, may have to make a big choice this summer. He will have the option of making a long-term commitment to the Parisians or possibly choosing to pursue other opportunities amid rumors that PSG is preparing a lucrative new contract.
Chelsea should consider making a move for the gangly but brilliant winger as a possibility since it would be costly but possibly not break-the-bank material. Barcola might be annoying when he’s in front of the goal, but his style and crazy unpredictability make him fascinating to watch.
