Xabi Alonso will work with his new Chelsea squad this summer but the new Blues manager will have to wait a little longer to get his hands on some crucial players
Xabi Alonso begins his role as Chelsea manager at the start of next month but the new Blues boss will not be able to work with all of his players immediately.
While a large group will report to the club’s training base in Cobham next month, others will be in the United States, Mexico or Canada representing their countries at the World Cup. Depending on how far their nations get in football’s biggest competition will determine exactly when they join up with Alonso and their teammates in their pre-season tour of Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia.
While Alonso will not get to work with 11 of his players during their time at the World Cup, there is no doubt the Spaniard will be sat in front of his television watching them (that is, of course, if he can brave the time difference from the UK). With this being said, football.london takes a closer look at the Chelsea players representing their countries over the next month or so.
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Enzo Fernandez
The big question is: will Fernandez be a Chelsea player by the time the World Cup concludes? Usually, such big transfers have to take the backseat while the players have their full focus on the World Cup. So it seems unlikely any deal will be completed before the tournament starts next week.
Fernandez has informed Chelsea he wants to depart Stamford Bridge this summer, sources say, with Real Madrid interested in the midfielder. The 25-year-old will be hoping to go back-to-back with Argentina this summer and he will be desperate to make an enormous impact once again.
Mike Penders
The 20-year-old goalkeeper will represent Belgium at the upcoming World Cup. However, it is highly unlikely Penders will even kick a ball in the tournament given Thibaut Courtois is also travelling with his country.
Either way, it will be a good experience for Penders ahead of pre-season for Chelsea. As reported on football.london towards the end of last month, Filip Jorgensen wants to depart Stamford Bridge and the Blues will sanction his exit. Penders is set to be given the opportunity to go head-to-head with Robert Sanchez for the goalkeeper spot under Alonso.
Kendry Paez
Paez spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and then River Plate. While it didn’t go exactly to plan for the 19-year-old attacking midfielder, he still did enough to be included in Ecuador’s squad for this month’s World Cup.
Alonso will keep half an eye on Paez and how he fares across the Atlantic, but the Ecuador international is widely expected to go out on loan again next term.
Moises Caicedo
Paez is joined in the Ecuador squad by Caicedo, who will be hoping to play a starring role for the South Americans this summer. After an up-and-down season at Stamford Bridge, Caicedo will be hoping to impress Alonso over the course of the next month.
Alonso, though, already knows exactly what Caicedo can do and the 24-year-old midfielder, bar a remarkable turn of events, is set to be front and centre of the Spanish manager’s plans in west London.
Reece James
As is James. The Chelsea captain is the club’s only representative of the England squad. James is expected to have a crucial role under Thomas Tuchel in the United States and Alonso will be keeping a keen eye on his new skipper.
It will be intriguing to see how Alonso uses James next season. Whether it’s at right-back, in central midfield or maybe even on the right-hand side of a back three.
Malo Gusto
Likewise with Gusto, who will be representing France in the upcoming World Cup. The 23-year-old is set to play a crucial role for one of the competition’s favourites.
Many are tipping France to get to the latter stages, once again, of the tournament. Either way, it is set to be a fantastic experience for Gusto.
Jorrel Hato
Hato’s form in 2026 has been excellent and as a result, the versatile 20-year-old defender has earned a place in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad. What sort of role he will play for the Dutch remains to be seen but Alonso will be keeping close tabs on the defender.
Straight off the bat, Hato seems to be perfect for Alonso’s way of playing so there is no doubt the former Ajax defender will have an enormous role to play under the incoming Blues boss.
Pedro Neto
Neto’s future, though, is a bit more intriguing. Chelsea want to add at least one winger to their ranks this summer and where that leaves Neto, we will see.
The Portugal international’s focus, for now, will be on helping Cristiano Ronaldo & Co lift the World Cup.
Mamadou Sarr
Perhaps one Alonso decides to loan out next season, but the Chelsea manager will get the opportunity to see Sarr in action for Senegal this summer. After their controversial Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Senegal go into this competition with plenty of confidence in their abilities.
Nicolas Jackson
Maybe the player Alonso wants to see most this summer. The new Chelsea boss will be tasked with making a decision over Jackson’s future at some point before the 2026/27 campaign gets underway in August.
Sources say Chelsea will welcome the Senegal striker back to the club with open arms this summer, once the World Cup concludes, for Alonso to get a closer look at him. While Jackson is open to staying at Stamford Bridge next season, a final decision – from the player’s side – has not been made yet.
Marc Cucurella
Similarly to the aforementioned Fernandez, Cucurella is still unsure where his future lies. The Spain international wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and has interest from both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, football.london understands.
Chelsea are willing to sell Cucurella but are not actively looking to ship him off. Alonso will keep a close eye on the Spanish left-back for one of the World Cup favourites.
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