Xabi Alonso will officially begin his tenure as Chelsea manager on July 1st, and is expected to have significant input into the club’s transfer strategy this summer, according to reports from TransfersDaily. This marks the first time Chelsea have appointed a manager with such anticipated influence since Jose Mourinho in 2013.
The Blues have identified several players as potential targets, including Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, and Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United, prioritizing players with established Premier League experience. However, their lack of European qualification is anticipated to present challenges in attracting and securing these players.
Chelsea’s reduced fixture list due to the absence of European football will necessitate a smaller squad size, prompting a wave of departures before the transfer window closes on September 1st. Players like Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Tyrique George, David Datro Fofana, Filip Jorgensen, and Alejandro Garnacho are all expected to leave the club. The Blues are also likely to sanction a permanent sale for either Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson.
Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha is set to join Chelsea in July, and with Joao Pedro expected to remain the first-choice centre forward, the future of both Delap and Jackson is uncertain. However, reports suggest Alonso will be tasked with deciding between the two, with Bayern Munich having opted not to trigger their €65 million option-to-buy clause for Jackson.
Jackson spent two seasons as Chelsea’s primary striker before the arrivals of Pedro and Delap led to his loan move to Bayern Munich. Despite not being a consistent starter under Vincent Kompany, he still managed 11 goals in 1,320 minutes across all competitions during the 2025-26 season. Delap, in contrast, had a difficult debut campaign with Chelsea, scoring only twice in 1,601 minutes and receiving multiple disciplinary issues.
His season was hampered by injuries, but his on-field behavior, including a red card described as “very stupid” and “embarrassing” by former manager Enzo Maresca, raised concerns. The contrast in performance between Pedro and Delap was significant, and Alonso is leaning towards retaining Jackson due to his established presence and connection with Cole Palmer. Jackson has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the club.
Palmer’s form reportedly dipped during Jackson’s absence, and the Senegalese striker’s versatility, including his ability to play as a winger, further strengthens his case. Ultimately, Alonso’s decision appears straightforward: choose between a proven forward with a strong link-up play and goal-scoring record, or a player with limited impact and disciplinary concerns. This is anticipated to be one of the first, and easiest, major decisions of his Chelsea managerial career.
