Xabi Alonso is set to get his feet under the table at Cobham training ground for the first time on Thursday, July 9, as his Chelsea rebuild begins in earnest.
The Blues have enjoyed a promising start to the summer transfer window, but significant work remains before the new Premier League season kicks off next month.
Alonso has already made his expectations crystal clear, stating that every player in the squad must be prepared to put in the hard yards regardless of their status last season.
Speaking to club media in May, the Spaniard said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.”
Alonso added: “We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies. There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club.”
Chelsea have already secured the signing of Marco Palestra, who looks set to play a key role, and the club are working on deals for Granit Xhaka and Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano.
One of the most pressing decisions involves the goalkeeping situation, with a clear choice needing to be made between Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders before the season begins.
Free agent Yann Sommer, who recently departed Inter Milan following the expiration of his contract, has been identified as an ideal stopgap signing to provide top-level experience without blocking Penders’ development.
In defence, the sporting leadership team must consider offloading Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham.
Those departures would free up wage bill space and generate funds to pursue Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and John Stones on a free transfer, significantly strengthening the backline.
At right-back, Malo Gusto could be sold before his market value drops, with Palestra and Reece James offering viable alternatives at right wing-back and right-back positions respectively.
The midfield situation is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Chelsea’s summer planning, with a deal for Xhaka from Sunderland looking close to completion.
Replacing Enzo Fernandez represents a far more complex challenge, with Real Madrid unlikely to pay a nine-figure fee for the Blues vice-captain, making a swap deal involving Aurelien Tchouameni a realistic alternative proposal.
Tchouameni would form a strong double pivot alongside Moises Caicedo, offering defensive solidity in front of the backline rather than the attacking contributions Fernandez provides.
Up front, Chelsea need to sign a quality left-sided forward capable of operating in the half spaces, though their absence from UEFA club competition this season limits their financial leverage in negotiations.
Kenan Yildiz from Juventus represents the dream option, though his newly signed contract extension makes that move extremely difficult to pull off this summer.
With squad numbers a genuine concern, at least two of Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens would need to be sold or loaned, alongside two of Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, and Marc Guiu.
The dream 25-man squad would include goalkeepers Penders, Sommer, and Teddy Sharman-Lowe, providing a solid and experienced trio between the sticks.
Midfield options would feature Caicedo, Xhaka, Tchouameni, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos, and Valentin Barco, giving Alonso plenty of depth and tactical flexibility in the engine room.
If the Chelsea sporting leadership can streamline the squad and attract experienced, quality additions, Alonso will have every tool he needs to build something genuinely exciting at Stamford Bridge.
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