Another Chelsea rebuild is in the offing as the club prepares to start fresh under new management yet again, with favourite Andoni Iraola facing a summer of widespread change
Deja vu looks set to strike Stamford Bridge once more as Chelsea home in on yet another summer rebuild. And it looks as though outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could be the man to oversee it.
The Spaniard is the current favourite to be hired as Liam Rosenior’s permanent replacement in west London. The move makes a lot of sense given Iraola has already announced he’d be leaving after three impressive years on the south coast, though he hasn’t managed a project of Chelsea’s magnitude before.
Still, his signing would yield its own benefits as the Blues look to tear it down and start over once more. With that in mind, football.london has put together a dream squad for the 2026/27 campaign comprising a raft of realistic new signings and departures that could very feasibly take place to put the club back on top.
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Goalkeepers
There’s an argument to be made that Chelsea should devote some of their energy to sourcing a Robert Sanchez upgrade this summer. However, with all the other areas in higher need of addressing, it doesn’t rank among the priorities in west London.
Expect the 2026/27 season to start with Sanchez as No. 1, with Filip Jorgensen pushing him from behind as the first reserve. United States youngster Gabriel Slonina should maintain his role as the third-choice option, though it’s possible he’ll end up being sent out on loan.
Defenders
A new centre-back is understood to be of the highest priority for the Blues this summer. And after failing to keep a clean sheet in 12 Premier League outings, one can easily understand why.
It’s also understood Premier League experience is another prerequisite for the Blues if they can help it. And Nottingham Forest’s Murillo appears to tick those boxes after The Guardian reported earlier this month Chelsea were interested.
The Brazilian has been one of the key faces behind Forest’s Premier League ascension in recent years and has proved to be a steal at less than £5million. Needless to say Chelsea wouldn’t be able to sign the 23-year-old for anything close to that fee after his value has skyrocketed in England, however.
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The west Londoners have endured a sea of injuries in central defence this season, which has severely hampered whomever is in charge. That being said, several of those among the existing options have also failed to inspire when stepping in.
In a dream scenario, Chelsea would have a primary core made up of a healthy Murillo, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato. That would leave Josh Acheampong to continue his role as understudy, while the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile could provide cover, though one of those latter names could be sold or sent out on loan.
That would leave room to sell Tosin Adarabioyo, while Mamadou Sarr could gain experience farmed out on loan. The full-back areas look after themselves in a world where Reece James and Malo Gusto stay fit at right-back, while Marc Cucurella and Hato stand watch on the left.
Midfielders
Much has been made of Enzo Fernandez’s current situation and future after hinting at a Chelsea exit and being suspended by Rosenior. However, an ideal world would see those bridges mended and the player re-commit to the cause in west London.
He’s one of several midfield mainstays Chelsea can build around, a group that also includes Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia if he can stay fit. That’s a big ‘if’, however, and it’s understood Chelsea are also itching to sign at least one midfielder this summer.
Granted, it may be a tall order without the allure of Champions League football (and potentially Europe at all) but Adam Wharton could be the highlight of their summer in that sense. In a world where Fernandez is allowed greater freedom to roam forward, a pivot made up of Caicedo and Wharton has the potential to achieve wonders.
It helps the Crystal Palace ace is already based in London and would aid the Blues’ homegrown quota needs. There’s also a sense the 22-year-old’s next move could be the one that puts him out of reach for much of his prime years if all goes to plan.
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Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole backed the move in principle and told Boyle Sports earlier this year: “Moises Caicedo is a top player but adding Adam Wharton alongside Enzo Fernandez would create a formidable midfield.
“That is a tasty combination, with those three in midfield and everything about it. That is proper. It would be a very, very hard defence to get by. Going forward, they’ve got a lot.”
If we’re really pushing the boat out, Iraola would also put his connections at the Vitality Stadium to good use in recruiting Alex Scott. Again, the 22-year-old would be a good investment as far as the homegrown quota is concerned, while he’s proved capable in a number of midfield responsibilities for the Cherries.
It speaks volumes that Scott is starting to earn recognition from England boss Thomas Tuchel after getting his first senior call-up last year. And of all the expensive moves liable to be made at the Bridge this summer, the Guernsey-born star could be one of the more cost-effective.
Forwards
One could argue Joao Pedro is the only attacker currently at Stamford Bridge who can truly be labelled with ‘unsellable’ status at present. Estevao has shown glimpses of a major threat since moving to England, but there’s a lot of talent in the forward areas that could be used to free up capital.
With that in mind, any funds recouped would be put to good use investing in England winger Anthony Gordon. It’s reported Newcastle are in desperate need of cash this summer and may be forced into selling, with Gordon one of the big-ticket items who could come up for pasture.
The 25-year-old is said to be valued at around £75m by Newcastle, though that price-tag may be whittled down depending on competition in the market. Gordon fits the age profile but there’s a sense that if Chelsea don’t move now, he could be taken off the market for good.
As for who can make room for his arrival, both Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto have failed to inspire and could be sold this summer. Neto’s discipline has proved problematic in west London, while Garnacho isn’t doing much to justify the £40m price tag that took him from Manchester United last year.
Nicolas Jackson already looks destined to be sold following his season-long loan at Bayern Munich. Tyrique George could also follow suit if Everton don’t make his move permanent, while Axel Disasi is another who could raise some valuable funds.
Marc Guiu is another name who doesn’t appear to be getting much love, though another loan away could be the ideal move in his case. It seems too early to give up on Liam Delap already, though 2026/27 is where fans really need to start seeing a little more from the striker if he’s to have a future at Chelsea.
Final dream 2025/26 squad
To summarise, Chelsea’s dream summer transfer window would see Anthony Gordon arrive alongside Adam Wharton, Murillo and Alex Scott. Meanwhile, the likes of Neto, Garnacho, Badiashile, Jackson, George and Disasi could all be sold to get some cash coming in.
Here is how that final squad would look:
Sanchez, Jorgensen, Slonina; Murillo, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Colwill, Gusto, Cucurella, Acheampong; Palmer, Wharton, Fernandez, Caicedo, Santos, Essugo, Lavia, Scott; Gordon, Pedro, Estevao, Delap, Gittens.
