Xabi Alonso, set to officially begin his tenure as Chelsea manager on July 1st, may face a significant squad turnover this summer, with several key players potentially departing Stamford Bridge. Reports suggest that incoming midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for both Real Madrid and Manchester City, according to Spanish publication AS.
Madrid’s interest in Fernandez stems from their confidence in securing players from struggling Premier League clubs, particularly with Jose Mourinho’s impending arrival as manager. Manchester City, meanwhile, are also monitoring the situation due to the appointment of former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s replacement. AS reports that Fernandez is ‘the favourite’ among several Chelsea stars expected to be sold following the club’s tenth-place finish in the Premier League and subsequent failure to qualify for European competition.
Fernandez arrived at Chelsea in January 2023 for a fee exceeding €120 million (£103.4m, $139.7m), becoming the most expensive signing in Premier League history. While the club are currently reluctant to sell, the report indicates that Alonso may be forced to sanction departures to reshape the squad.
Alongside Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Marc Cucurella have also been identified as potential departures. Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has reported Manchester United’s long-term interest in Palmer, while Barcelona are actively pursuing Joao Pedro. Cucurella has attracted interest from both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. AS notes that the possibility of a ‘mass exodus’ is very real, as clubs across Europe monitor the situation at Chelsea.
The potential departures reflect a significant shift in strategy under Alonso, who will aim to build a team capable of competing for top honours. Selling high-value players could provide the financial flexibility to invest in new talent and address the squad’s shortcomings.
