Xabi Alonso is set for an extremely busy first summer at Chelsea with the west Londoners expected to be very active in the upcoming transfer window in terms of incomings and outgoings
After a thoroughly disappointing 2025/26 campaign, one that left the Chelsea fan base completely disjointed, there is at least cause for optimism at Stamford Bridge.
In January, Enzo Maresca cut his long-term contract short. In April, Chelsea cut ties with Liam Rosenior less than four months into his six-and-a-half-year deal. Chelsea, though, after a period of “self-reflection”, believe they now have the right man to spearhead BlueCo’s long-term project.
Xabi Alonso will begin his four-year contract on July 1, with the Spaniard being appointed the club’s manager, rather than all of his predecessors – who were named head coaches – under BlueCo.
That, on the face of it, might not seem like too much, but Chelsea are determined to give Alonso more power within operations at the club. That, of course, includes the Blues’ transfer business.
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Before Alonso’s tenure has even got underway, there is no doubt there is a lot of deadwood that needs flogging at Stamford Bridge. So with that said, football.london puts itself in Alonso’s shoes ahead of a big summer. Here’s our Chelsea keep/sell/loan:
Alejandro Garnacho – sell
Brutal, but football is, unfortunately. Garnacho has not shown he has what it takes to be a regular starter at Chelsea. You could argue his goal return – eight in all competitions – is decent enough to be a squad option, however the 21-year-old winger has struck just once in the Premier League. Chelsea paid £40million for the Argentine last summer from Manchester United and will be hoping to recoup a large sum of that money if they do look to offload him in the coming months.
Liam Delap – sell
Again, brutal, but that’s how this game works. Delap has not been anywhere near good enough. He’s not been what Chelsea thought – and hoped – they were signing. It’s not like he hasn’t had the opportunities to prove himself either. Just two goals throughout his debut season at Stamford Bridge. The curse of the No.9 continues.
Joao Pedro – keep
Let’s bring some positivity into proceedings. And it’s hard not to be positive when it comes to Joao Pedro. A fantastic debut campaign at the Blues saw the Brazil international crowned the club’s Player of the Season. Twenty goals all in all. No doubt Chelsea should be looking to keep him – even if Barcelona are sniffing around.
Wesley Fofana – sell
Back to selling. Fofana’s wages are extremely high for what he offers the Chelsea defence. Plus I think the Frenchman, who was sent off for the second time this season on the final day at Sunderland on Sunday, has shown a poor attitude at times. The Blues paid £75m for Fofana four years ago so it will be tricky for them to get much of that back.
Enzo Fernandez – keep
This will split supporters. If I were in the shoes of the Chelsea bigwigs, I would be trying everything to keep Fernandez – read why here. Some fans, though, want him gone. He is a very divisive player. Either way, a summer of speculation looms.
Pedro Neto – keep
Another one that will split the fan base. Let me put this straight: Neto shouldn’t be starting games for Chelsea on a regular basis. However, the Portugal international is a better-than-decent squad option. Neto can be frustrating but if Alonso can instil some confidence back in the 26-year-old winger, then there is a player there. See the Club World Cup, for example.
Cole Palmer – keep
Keep. Of course. Yes, he hasn’t been great recently. I, however, have high hopes for Palmer in 2026/27 with a full pre-season under his belt. Alonso could be the man to detonate Palmer once again.
Moises Caicedo – keep
Just signed a new long-term contract. There’s not much point even talking about this one. He’s going nowhere.
Malo Gusto – sell
I’m always a bit mixed when it comes to Gusto. He’s just not consistent enough to be a starter for Chelsea. I don’t see a world where he wants to stick around if that’s not the case, either. For that reason, I would strongly consider cashing in on the France international this summer. He’s a good World Cup away from a handsome fee.
Levi Colwill – keep
Of course. Keep. Colwill’s return to the side has been one of the few bright sparks of the season. Excited to see him in action properly next term.
Trevoh Chalobah – keep
I can already hear some of you screaming at me. Hear me out. As a back-up option, Chalobah is a reliable option. Nothing more than that. I don’t think he’s the guy to be starting 30-plus Premier League matches a season for the Blues. Chelsea are looking to add a starting-level central defender to their ranks this summer, so Chalobah could fall down the pecking order.
Filip Jorgensen – sell
I think the Dane has had enough chances to prove himself. I’m not convinced. There were whispers from sources in January that he wanted out.
Robert Sanchez – keep
For the most part, it’s been a really positive season for Sanchez. In the long term, he’s not the guy, unfortunately, but next season he could prove handy. See below.
Mike Penders – keep
The young Belgian, who is due to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, should not be chucked straight into the deep end. Acting as Sanchez’s understudy as a season, getting some regular minutes in the cup competitions, could be the best next stage for Penders’ development.
Marc Cucurella – sell
With just two years left to run on the Spain international’s contract, now might be the time to part ways. Cucurella has more than flirted with the prospect of leaving Stamford Bridge. Atletico Madrid are supposedly interested. Also, Jorrel Hato is fantastic.
Jorrel Hato – keep
Which brings me onto Hato. In 2026, there haven’t been many better in Chelsea blue than the Netherlands international. I realise that isn’t the highest of bars. Either way, at 20 years old, Hato has shown a real maturity and immense quality since Christmas.
Reece James – keep
Yes, obviously. Next.
Jamie Gittens – keep
Bit more to talk about with Gittens. Injuries have completely ruined the second half of his debut season at Stamford Bridge. He wasn’t setting the world alight prior to his injuries, but we saw glimpses. It would be unfair to write Gittens off with very little minutes under his belt. He shouldn’t be starting regular games for the Blues, mind.
Tosin Adarabioyo – sell
Tosin is supposed to be a leader, an experienced head, but his performances throughout the 2025/26 season did not reflect that. With two years left on his deal, the former Fulham defender’s days at Stamford Bridge seem to be numbered.
Dario Essugo – loan
Our first loan of the article. Essugo did not play much at all in his debut season. A lot of that can be put down to injury but even when he was fit, he wasn’t getting anywhere near starting in the important matches. Loan him for a season, see how he gets on.
Andrey Santos – keep
Quietly, Santos enjoyed an impressive debut season. Nothing groundbreaking, don’t get me wrong, but he quietly went about his business. There’s much more to come from the Brazilian midfielder and I think if that ends up being elsewhere, Chelsea may live to regret their hastiness.
Romeo Lavia – sell
I think it’s time to call it quits. Too many injuries. A potentially fantastic footballer in there but Chelsea are not getting the best out of him – or anywhere near that – because of his fitness troubles.
Benoit Badiashile – sell
There were high hopes for the Frenchman when he arrived in January 2023 but he has not been able to achieve his potential. Badiashile, at times during his Chelsea career, has shown some qualities that makes you think one day he might go onto become a top-level centre-back. Not often enough, however, and Chelsea should, truthfully, look to cash in this summer.
Estevao Willian – keep
A fantastic debut season. Let’s hope he recovers from that hamstring injury and has a solid pre-season ahead of his second campaign in the Premier League.
Josh Acheampong – loan
In an ideal world, Chelsea would be keeping Acheampong and giving him regular first-team minutes. Their failure to do that over the course of the 2025/26 campaign, however, means they should look at loaning him in the upcoming transfer window. Sources close to the club have insisted, for quite some time, that Chelsea rate the England Under-21 international very highly but his lack of time on the pitch does not match the internal thoughts at Stamford Bridge.
Axel Disasi – sell
A great loan spell at West Ham United. However, with the Hammers being relegated, they won’t sign the Frenchman. Chelsea should look to cash in on Disasi, who clearly has no sort of future with the west Londoners.
Shim Mheuka – loan
He desperately needs first-team minutes. A fantastic season for the club’s academy and now could be the time for more senior football. For whatever reason, it doesn’t look like he will get that at Chelsea.
Nicolas Jackson – keep
If Jackson wants to stay, and sources suggest he could indeed be open to the idea, then Chelsea should keep him around. Extra firepower if Delap was to leave.
Emanuel Emegha – loan
That would, however, block the pathway for Emegha. Perhaps a loan elsewhere would be the most sensible option for both parties.
Geovany Quenda – keep
Sources say Chelsea are planning on giving Quenda some minutes in the senior side in his debut season at the Bridge. He looks like an exciting young talent, for sure, so it will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the Premier League. I still think Chelsea should sign a more experienced, ready-made, left-sided winger, though.
Marc Guiu – sell
It hasn’t worked out so far – that much is clear. Perhaps time to move on. It could be the best option for both parties.
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