Xabi Alonso

Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández is in advanced talks to join Manchester City from Chelsea, with negotiations expected to progress within 24-48 hours. City plans an initial bid below Chelsea’s £120 million asking price, while Chelsea insists on the full valuation and seeks a replacement before selling. Fernández has given City the green light and was left out of Chelsea’s match squad, signaling the transfer’s final stages. The deal is one of the most anticipated moves of the summer window.

61 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 3, 07:05 AM UTC

Juventus and Aston Villa narrowed their valuation gap for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with Juventus offering up to €10 million (€7M fixed plus €3M add-ons) against Villa’s demand for a fixed €10M fee. Personal terms were agreed, but Juventus ultimately abandoned the deal, partly due to concerns over Martinez’s finger injury. Aston Villa then accelerated a €30M move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki as a replacement. Martinez remains at Villa, who will play in the Champions League.

21 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 30, 08:00 AM UTC

Chelsea has issued a Friday 5 PM UK deadline for Manchester City to meet their £120 million valuation for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, or the transfer will be off. City has expressed interest but is unwilling to meet the price. No formal offers have been received in two months, and Real Madrid has ruled out a summer move. Fernandez, a World Cup winner, has six years left on his contract and recently returned to training.

31 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 26, 10:01 AM UTC

Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, former Real Madrid teammates and close friends, both sacked as managers by Real Madrid last season, now debut as Premier League rivals. Alonso, appointed Chelsea manager in May 2026, leads his team against Arbeloa’s Fulham at Craven Cottage. Their intertwined careers include playing together at Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Spain, winning Euro 2008, Euro 2012, and the 2010 World Cup. Both began coaching at Real Madrid’s academy before moving to their current roles.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 24, 05:40 PM UTC

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria for a fee of €19 million plus add-ons, potentially rising to €25 million. The 28-year-old, who helped Rayo reach the Europa Conference League final, has agreed personal terms and will undergo a medical in London. The transfer fills the gap left by Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid and marks Rayo Vallecano’s record sale.

9 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 12, 08:51 PM UTC

Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, has mutually terminated his contract with Brentford one year early and is set to join Chelsea on a free transfer. The former Liverpool captain, who spent one season at Brentford after stints at Ajax and Al-Ettifaq, will sign a two-year deal with Chelsea until June 2028. Chelsea, under new coach Xabi Alonso, is adding experienced players like Henderson and Danny Welbeck to balance their young squad.

11 reports · 6 sources · Updated Aug 8, 03:31 PM UTC

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign veteran Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, 35, who scored a career-high 13 Premier League goals last season. The move signals a strategic shift under new manager Xabi Alonso, moving away from signing young players toward experienced, Premier League-proven talent. Brighton is willing to sell with one year left on Welbeck’s contract, provided a fair fee is agreed. The potential signing could lead to departures of current Chelsea strikers Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap.

23 reports · 10 sources · Updated Aug 8, 02:13 PM UTC

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, 25, is eligible to return to competitive football immediately after the English FA lifted his suspension on July 30, 2026, with WADA’s agreement. Mudryk had been banned for four years in January 2026 after testing positive for low-concentration meldonium in October 2024. However, WADA’s revised technical document (TD2027MRL) meant the concentration would no longer be a violation. Mudryk accepted a suspension equal to time already served, and Chelsea expressed relief, prioritizing his reintegration.

13 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 11, 07:21 AM UTC

Chelsea FC has finalized the £34 million (€40 million) transfer of Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, with all documents signed. The 22-year-old, who can play midfield or left-back, had a heated confrontation with England’s Jude Bellingham during the 2026 World Cup semi-final. Barco played 19 minutes in the tournament and scored 3 goals with 9 assists last season. He joins Chelsea’s summer signings under manager Xabi Alonso, as part of the BlueCo multi-club strategy.

7 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 4, 12:12 AM UTC

Chelsea is accelerating negotiations to sign Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix, with a £55 million offer potentially rising to £60 million in add-ons. The 26-year-old French international, who joined Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024, is eager for the move. Chelsea co-owner Eghbali met Palace chairman Parish in New York to discuss the deal. To help finance the transfer, Chelsea may sell defender Trevoh Chalobah to Como for £35 million. Chelsea also nears a £117 million deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.

27 reports · 11 sources · Updated Jul 30, 11:48 AM UTC

Real Madrid players Endrick and Rüdiger have reported for training under new manager José Mourinho after returning from World Cup duty. Both passed medical examinations. Rüdiger, who overcame knee problems with a London treatment, is expected to compete for a starting spot alongside new signing Konaté, Huijsen, and Asencio. Endrick, who was on loan at Olympique Lyon last season (8 goals, 9 assists in 21 matches), is advancing his return to convince Mourinho, especially with Gonzalo reportedly being sold to Fulham. The next batch of returning players includes Vinicius, Brahim, Courtois, and Bernardo Silva, while those who reached the World Cup final (Bellingham, Tchouameni, Mbappé, Konaté, Cucurella) will return in August. Endrick and Rüdiger are unlikely to travel for the friendly against Fiorentina but may feature against Ferencvaros on August 8.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:06 AM UTC

Bayer Leverkusen’s 18-year-old Bosnian attacking midfielder Kerim Alajbegović is nearing a €40 million transfer to Chelsea, driven by new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who previously coached him at Leverkusen. The deal includes €35 million fixed plus add-ons. Alajbegović, a World Cup participant, impressed on loan at RB Salzburg. Juventus has also raised its offer above €30 million, intensifying competition. The transfer is expected to be finalized this weekend.

13 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 30, 10:30 AM UTC

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos spoke to the press after a 6-4 pre-season friendly victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. Santos discussed the tough but meaningful match, noting the open pace of the first half. He praised Xabi Alonso's halftime instructions to stay central and involve everyone in possession, calling Alonso a great midfield master who taught him many details. Reflecting on an injury-hit previous season, Santos expressed eagerness to prove himself and look forward to the new season. When asked if his Chelsea career is just beginning, he acknowledged past difficulties but stated he feels his debut a year ago marked the start. On his first-team prospects, Santos simply affirmed, 'I am a Chelsea player, that's all I know.'

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 02:12 AM UTC

Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 6-4 pre-season friendly victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney. Brazilian striker Joao Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick off the bench, while teenage triallist Dastan Satpayev impressed. The match highlighted Chelsea's defensive frailties and the uncertain future of striker Liam Delap, with the club reportedly advancing a deal for veteran Danny Welbeck. Alonso used a youthful lineup before introducing senior players to secure the win.

8 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:24 PM UTC

Xabi Alonso, in his first match as Chelsea manager, refused to confirm reports linking the club to veterans Danny Welbeck (35, Brighton) and Jordan Henderson (36, Brentford), stating there will be many transfer rumors but emphasizing the need for 'proper balance' in the squad. The comments came after Chelsea's 6-4 pre-season victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney. Alonso fielded a youthful starting XI, with 17-year-old triallist Dastan Satpayev opening the scoring. Chelsea's defense struggled early, but second-half substitutes including Cole Palmer and João Pedro turned the game. João Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick, and Alonso praised his hunger for the upcoming season. The reported interest in Welbeck and Henderson signals a revised Chelsea transfer strategy under Alonso, shifting from exclusively signing young players to adding experienced Premier League stalwarts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:40 PM UTC

Dastan Satpaev, a 16-year-old Kazakh striker signed from Kairat Almaty for €4 million, made an impressive debut for Chelsea in a preseason friendly against WS Wanderers. He scored his first goal for the club within six minutes and assisted another, playing over 60 minutes under manager Xabi Alonso. Satpaev previously unofficially broke Champions League records held by Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal by scoring at 16 years and 331 days in qualifying rounds, though UEFA only counts group stage goals. He has 21 goals and 9 assists in 41 Kazakh league matches and has debuted for the national team. The article highlights his potential as a rising star at Chelsea.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:43 PM UTC

Chelsea's preseason friendly against Australian side WS Wanderers ended in a 6-4 victory, with Joao Pedro scoring a hat-trick to overturn a 3-4 deficit. However, the standout performer was 16-year-old Kazakh striker Dastan Satpaev, who scored his first goal for Chelsea just six minutes into his debut under manager Xabi Alonso. Satpaev, signed from Kairat Almaty for €4 million, also assisted a second goal. The article notes that Satpaev previously surpassed the Champions League goal-scoring records of Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal in qualifying rounds, though UEFA only counts group stage goals. He has scored 21 goals and provided 9 assists in 41 matches for Kairat Almaty and has debuted for the Kazakhstan national team, all while still a minor.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:43 PM UTC

The article reports on Joao Pedro's impressive hat trick performance, which has drawn the attention of FC Barcelona. The summary highlights that Xabi Alonso, now managing Chelsea, has a talented striker in Joao Pedro, and Barcelona is closely monitoring the player's form. The piece speculates on whether Alonso can retain the player given such standout displays, with Barcelona reportedly keeping an eye on the Brazilian forward as a potential transfer target. The article is published by AS, a Spanish sports outlet, and includes tags for Joao Pedro, FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, and Xabi Alonso.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 12:47 PM UTC

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is absent from the club's pre-season tour of Australia, including the friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers. The Argentine international played deep into the 2026 World Cup, reaching the final on July 19, which ended just over a week before the match. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso granted Fernandez an extended rest period to prevent burnout and injury, leaving him out of the 27-man travelling squad. Other senior players like Pedro Neto and Reece James are also absent, allowing younger academy prospects to gain playing time. Fernandez will rejoin the team later to prepare for the 2026/27 Premier League season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 08:32 AM UTC

Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has definitively ended speculation over captain Granit Xhaka's future, stating Chelsea's £8 million bid for the 33-year-old midfielder has been rejected and the matter is closed. Xhaka, who joined Sunderland last summer and helped them qualify for the Europa League, has committed to staying. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who coached Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen, was keen on a reunion. Sunderland has had a quiet transfer window, signing only Thomas Meunier on a free transfer.

7 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 28, 08:03 AM UTC

The article covers three major football stories. First, Zinedine Zidane is set to be officially announced as the new head coach of the French national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, with a press conference scheduled at the FFF headquarters. Second, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is pursuing veteran players Danny Welbeck (35) and Jordan Henderson (36) to mentor younger squad members, while also praising new signing Morgan Rogers. Third, Ivorian talent Yan Diomande is on the verge of joining Real Madrid for nearly €120 million, just 17 months after his first European match with Leganes, with RB Leipzig set to make a massive profit on their €20 million investment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 08:02 AM UTC

Chelsea's 2026/27 pre-season begins on Tuesday with a friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium in Sydney, marking Xabi Alonso's first public match as head coach. The game kicks off at 10:45 AM UK time. In the UK, fans can stream the match exclusively via Chelsea's platform CFC+. Australian viewers need a Paramount+ subscription as there is no free-to-air broadcast. Chelsea's 27-man squad includes senior players, academy talents like Landon Emenalo and Tayo Subuloye, Cole Palmer, and new signing Marco Pelestra. The article also promotes a Sky Sports bundle deal.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:00 AM UTC

Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, have announced a 27-man traveling squad for the Sydney Super Cup preseason tournament in Australia. The squad, headlined by Cole Palmer and Brazilian duo Joao Pedro and Estevao, will face Western Sydney Wanderers and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Accor Stadium. Notable absentee Morgan Rogers is omitted due to rest after a deep World Cup run with England. Several academy graduates are included, and additional first-team players may join later. The tour aims to provide tactical preparation for the upcoming Premier League season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 10:40 PM UTC

English defender John Stones, 32, has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City. Inter has prepared a two-year contract worth €4 million annually, with talks ongoing to finalize the deal. Stones also attracted interest from Juventus, Arsenal, and Chelsea but chose Inter. The move reunites him with former City teammate Manuel Akanji and strengthens Inter’s defense under coach Cristian Chivu. No medical has been scheduled yet.

25 reports · 11 sources · Updated Jul 31, 05:22 PM UTC

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Aston Villa and England attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers for a British record £117 million, surpassing the previous record for Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old, who scored 14 goals and 12 assists last season and helped Villa win the Europa League, has agreed a six-year contract. A medical is scheduled for Monday. Rogers chose Chelsea over Arsenal, swayed by new manager Xabi Alonso and the club's project. The deal makes him the most expensive British player ever.

36 reports · 16 sources · Updated Jul 27, 10:39 AM UTC

On July 27, 2026, Chelsea's new Spanish manager Xabi Alonso held a press conference ahead of the Sydney Super Cup and the club's pre-season tour. When asked about the imminent arrival of French defender Maxence Lacroix, Alonso declined to confirm the transfer but emphasized his goal of building a 'competitive' team capable of winning the Premier League. The article, published by L'Équipe, highlights Alonso's cautious approach to discussing squad changes while signaling his ambition for the upcoming season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 09:27 AM UTC

Multiple reports indicate Arsenal are in advanced talks with Aston Villa to sign England international Morgan Rogers, with personal terms agreed and a potential €100 million fee. However, Chelsea have reportedly struck a £117 million deal, threatening Arsenal’s pursuit. The 23-year-old versatile forward is a top target for both clubs, with negotiations ongoing and Villa preparing for his departure.

46 reports · 14 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:52 AM UTC

Chelsea are in negotiations to hire highly regarded set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, but face competition from other Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs. MacPhee, 46, has been instrumental in Villa's set-piece success, scoring more goals from set-pieces than any other team in Europe's top five leagues in 2023-24 and ranking among the top five the following season. He also works with the Portugal national team. Villa would receive compensation due to a release clause in his contract. Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso has a vacancy after current set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva moves to a behind-the-scenes role. The news follows Chelsea's £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Villa, with Alejandro Garnacho moving to Villa on loan.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 10:09 AM UTC

Chelsea are in negotiations to hire highly regarded set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, but face competition from other Premier League clubs and Saudi Pro League teams. The 46-year-old Scottish coach, who also worked with Portugal's national team under Roberto Martinez, has a release clause in his contract. Under MacPhee's guidance, Aston Villa scored more set-piece goals than any other team in Europe's top five leagues during the 2023-24 season and ranked among the top five the following season, finishing joint-top with Arsenal in the Premier League last season. MacPhee would be one of several staff members leaving Villa Park this summer after the club won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League under Unai Emery. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has space in his backroom staff as current set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva moves into a behind-the-scenes role. The news comes after Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m, with Alejandro Garnacho moving in the opposite direction on loan.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 10:09 AM UTC

Aston Villa have opened negotiations with Chelsea to sign Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson, valued at £65 million, according to The Sun's London correspondent Jack Rosser. The move is complicated by Premier League rules that prohibit clubs from loaning two players from another top-flight club, as Villa have already loaned Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. Therefore, any deal for Jackson must be a permanent transfer. Meanwhile, Villa striker Ollie Watkins may depart as Fenerbahce push to sign the 30-year-old England forward. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso wants to assess Jackson during pre-season, though the player did not travel to Australia for training. Villa must also declare all incoming transfers to UEFA as part of a settlement agreement after breaching the 'squad cost ratio' rule. Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich last summer but was not retained. Watkins has two years left on his contract and has scored 108 goals in 278 appearances for Villa.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 06:08 AM UTC