Xabi Alonso has a lot of work to do with the Chelsea squad on the training pitches at Cobham.
Although Xabi Alonso will want to bolster the Chelsea squad this summer, he’ll be expected to develop the talent already available at Stamford Bridge. The 44-year-old, who signed a four-year contract with the Blues last month, will begin his new role as manager on July 1, giving him plenty of time to prepare for the new season.
football.london understands that Alonso will work closely with the five-strong sporting leadership team as they look to breathe new life into the BlueCo project. When the Spaniard agreed to take the reins, he outlined his desire to ‘build the right culture’ and ‘win trophies.
“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club,” said Alonso. “From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition.
“We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies. There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club, and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”
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Although it’s understood that Chelsea want to sign a centre-back, a centre-midfielder, and a left-sided winger in the transfer window, Alonso will need to revitalise those already in the dressing room in order to get his hands on some silverware.
Last season, many of the squad fell short of expectations, so the former Liverpool midfielder looks set to have his work cut out. With that being said, football.london has looked at how the Chelsea squad have fared in the latest findings from the CIES Football Observatory.
Palmer and two Chelsea stars collapse in value
Cole Palmer
When Chelsea needed somebody to step up to the plate and salvage their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, Palmer went missing. The 24-year-old midfielder showed glimpses of promise, but he largely struggled to impress for much of the campaign, costing him a place in the England squad at the World Cup.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Palmer was priced at €126.5m (£109.4m) and was regarded as the most valuable player on the books at Stamford Bridge. But this year, he’s estimated to be worth €110m (£95.1m), losing top dog status in west London.
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson didn’t play as much as he would’ve liked at Bayern Munich last season. The 24-year-old striker is expected to return to Stamford Bridge after the World Cup, despite the Bundesliga champions inserting an obligation-to-buy clause into a loan agreement back in September 2025.
football.london understands that Chelsea and Bayern agreed on a package worth around £70m. The German giants paid a £14.2m fee just to take Jackson on loan for the season, while also agreeing to pay a further £56.2m for his services on a permanent basis, so long as certain conditions were met.
It was understood that if the Senegal international were to make 40 appearances, the clause would be activated, but he only managed to feature 34 times across all competitions.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Jackson was priced at €96.4m (£83.4m), making him the most valuable African player in the world and the second-most valuable player on the books at Stamford Bridge. But this year, he’s estimated to be worth €70.2m (£60.7m) and is now just the fifth-most valuable African player on the planet.
Levi Colwill
Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of pre-season, essentially ruling him out for the entire campaign. The 23-year-old defender managed to return to action for the final handful of games, and he made a great impression.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Colwill was priced at €87.6m (£75.8m); he was regarded as the most valuable centre-back in the Premier League and fourth most valuable in the world.
But, after almost an entire season on the sidelines, the Cobham graduate failed to make it into the top 100 players in the world with the highest estimated transfer value, with joint-last place coming in at €65.1m (£56.3m).
Fernandez and four Chelsea stars surge in value
Enzo Fernandez
Despite some poor results, Fernandez very rarely failed to impress. During a disastrous campaign for Chelsea, the 25-year-old midfielder was one of the very few who showed their teeth and led by example… on the pitch, at least.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Fernandez was priced at €87.6m (£75.8m), making him the seventh-most valuable holding midfielder in the world. After a formidable campaign on a personal level, he’s now estimated to be worth €100.6m (£87m) and viewed as the third-most valuable centre-midfielder on the planet.
Estevao Willian
Estevao hit the ground running at Chelsea, and he looked set to take European football by storm. The 19-year-old winger showed great promise during what was a frustrating season, proving he can lock horns with the very best… when fit.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Estevao was priced at €82.4m (£71.3m), making him the third-most valuable teenager in the world, behind only Lamin Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. Although the campaign was littered with injuries and setbacks, he’s now estimated to be worth €113.4m (£98.1m).
Estevao’s market value may have surged, and he may remain the most valuable teenager in the Premier League, but the Brazil international has been leapfrogged by Yan Diomandé following his fruitful displays for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro was rightly named player of the season at Chelsea. The 24-year-old striker was superb throughout the campaign, leading by example, even when he wasn’t putting the ball in the back of the net.
According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, Pedro was priced at €68.7m (£59.4m) and generally overlooked as one of the top forwards in the Premier League. But, now, he’s estimated to be worth €108m (£93.4m).
Moises Caicedo
Caicedo quietly went under the radar, again, as one of Chelsea’s best players this season. According to the CIES Football Observatory in June 2025, the 24-year-old midfielder was priced at €84m (£72.7m), but now he’s estimated to be worth €92.6m (£80.1m).
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