Xabi Alonso is set for an extremely busy start to life as the new Chelsea manager with the Spaniard expected to be heavily involved in the club’s transfer business this summer
I am fortunate and privileged enough in my job role to be able to explore the world while watching one of the biggest football clubs on the planet: Chelsea FC.
In what was my fourth full season of covering the club as a reporter for football.london, these last few days have been spent reflecting on what a truly ridiculous campaign it was. It will prove to be unforgettable, but there are Chelsea supporters everywhere wishing it could be forgotten.
Two managerial changes – one that was chaotic to say the least, with Enzo Maresca leaving on New Year’s Day after a falling out with the club’s board – but that was just part of it. Fans protesting against the ownership, a couple of players doing the same, an FA Cup final, a 6000-mile round trip to Baku and the Club World Cup (I’m not even sure if that counts as this season or last, it’s all a blur). I’m probably missing something too.
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Either way, despite its complications, twists and turns, it has been a privilege to cover in my profession. Over the course of the season, 59 matches (not including the Club World Cup because I’ve decided that will be categorised into the 2024/25 season) were played by Chelsea in all competitions and I, fortunately, was able to attend 56 of them – almost 95% according to a quick Google.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I would say I’m in a pretty good position to assess and review the season and where incoming manager Xabi Alonso needs to strengthen and where the squad is already strong. So, here goes:
Signing a centre-back (or three) is imperative
We’ve known for some time now that Chelsea plan to add at least one starting-level centre-back to their ranks this summer. We also know that this mystery defender will be signed to play alongside Levi Colwill and complement the England international.
Sources told football.london this prior to Alonso’s appointment, so it will be interesting to see how the plans have altered, if at all. Of course, Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen team, who famously completed an entire Bundesliga campaign unbeaten, deployed a three-back system, so many are wondering whether that is something we will see at Stamford Bridge.
If that is the case, there is no doubt more centre-backs need to be signed. Also, there are plenty of central defenders who face uncertain futures in west London. You could make a case for all of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile all leaving in the coming months.
You could also make a case for Josh Acheampong. While club sources insist the 20-year-old is not for sale, who could blame him if he looked elsewhere as he craved regular first-team football? It doesn’t look like he’s getting that at Stamford Bridge anytime soon. Unless, of course, Alonso has him in his immediate plans.
Even Mamadou Sarr could leave. A loan move would make more sense, but his future could be defined as ‘up in the air’. The returning Axel Disasi surely won’t be back at Cobham for too long.
Chelsea need multiple centre-backs this summer. It seems unlikely all of the above will be shipped because that’s not how top-level clubs tend to operate but there could be a big clear-out when it comes to the defence. The Blues could end up signing multiple centre-backs in reaction to the departures.
Queue for Wharton
We know Chelsea hold a long-term interest in Adam Wharton. It will be interesting to see whether the Blues take their fondness of the Crystal Palace midfielder a step further this summer with the England international looking increasingly likely to depart Selhurst Park.
It is no secret that Chelsea are actively looking for a central midfielder. Sources say they are after a ‘ready-made’ option. Is Wharton that? His age, 22, would suggest not, but his experience adds another dimension. At such a young age, Wharton already has 70 Premier League appearances under his belt.
Just go and sign him, then. Unfortunately it’s not as straightforward as that – and it’s been made even more complicated by Chelsea missing out on the Champions League. Not only that but the Blues won’t play in any form of European competition at all next term.
There are several Premier League big-hitters in for Wharton, who may well have the lure of European football to offer the midfielder.
At this stage, everything floating around re Enzo Fernandez seems like speculation. Sometimes, there is no smoke without fire, of course, following reports online that the defeat at Sunderland would be the Argentina international’s final game for the west London club.
We will wait and see on that one but there is no denying Fernandez’s comments during the March international break angered Chelsea.
A left-sided winger is also being hunted this summer. Geovany Quenda will arrive from Sporting CP with plenty of hope and excitement. He does look like a really fun player, so hopefully Chelsea supporters can get on board with the Portugal Under-21 winger.
Farewell, Alejandro?
You wouldn’t be surprised at all if Alejandro Garnacho departed Stamford Bridge after just one season, leaving Quenda and Jamie Gittens as the left wing options. Of course, others can play out there as well, but Chelsea need more. They need a player ready to come in and steal the limelight from the rest of the attacking line.
Morgan Rogers? He’s a long-term target, like Wharton, and faces a summer full of speculation. Rogers won’t be cheap, though; with some claiming Aston Villa would want £80million for their prized asset.
Anthony Gordon has been on BlueCo’s radar before and with the Newcastle United winger looking destined to leave St. James’ Park in the off-season, he could be an option.
Joao Pedro v2
I would also like Chelsea to sign another versatile forward; someone a bit like Joao Pedro. Of course if they could be the quality of Joao Pedro, that would be great but it’s never that simple. They don’t grow on trees.
Someone who can cover in all positions, or at least 90% of them, across the attacking line.
A busy summer, then…
So, one centre-back (maybe two, maybe three – for the purpose of this article, we will say three), at least one central midfielder (maybe two if Fernandez departs), a left-sided winger and a versatile forward (because why not?). Another quiet transfer window is almost upon us…
