Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso will inherit a significant problem in the striker department when he officially takes charge at Stamford Bridge next month.
The Blues are currently carrying five senior centre-forwards on their books, creating a situation that demands urgent attention before the transfer window closes.
Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Joao Pedro, Emmanuel Emegha and Nicolas Jackson all represent options for Alonso as he looks to shape his squad for the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea paid £30million to sign Delap from Ipswich Town just over 12 months ago, following an impressive personal showing for the Suffolk club during the 2024/25 season.
The 23-year-old made his debut against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup opener last June, producing an assist for Enzo Fernandez in a 2-0 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
His link-up play with Cole Palmer in that cameo was considered a genuine highlight, offering early encouragement about what the partnership could produce at Premier League level.
However, Delap struggled to make a meaningful impact throughout Chelsea’s 2025/26 season, finishing with just two goals and four assists across all competitions despite regular opportunities.
Joao Pedro largely kept Delap out of the starting lineup, with the Brazilian delivering an excellent campaign that left the former Ipswich man making just 12 Premier League starts over the course of the season.
Delap failed to cement his place under three different managers in Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane, raising serious questions about his long-term future at the club.
Sources close to the striker insist he wants to fight for his place next season, but Everton have already explored the possibility of signing him as Chelsea prepare to offload at least one forward this summer.
Alonso is expected to have the final say on Delap’s future, and whether Chelsea can recoup their initial £30million outlay remains to be seen given the player’s underwhelming debut campaign.
Jackson, who spent the 2025/26 season on loan with Bayern Munich, is expected to return to Stamford Bridge and be given the opportunity to impress the incoming boss.
Chelsea are prepared to offer the Senegal international a second chance under Alonso, though a final decision on his future has not yet been made, with sources saying Jackson is open to returning.
Guiu is expected to sit at the bottom of the pecking order and may well be loaned out again this summer, having had his previous spell at Sunderland cut short due to Jackson’s move to Bayern Munich.
The only striker considered truly untouchable this summer is Joao Pedro, with Chelsea viewing the 24-year-old Brazil international as off-limits despite reported interest from Barcelona last month.
Alonso will hold talks with the club’s sporting leadership team in the coming weeks to determine exactly how to reshape a central striking unit that has grown far too large for one squad.
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