Chelsea are putting together an ambitious squad overhaul under manager Xabi Alonso ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
The Blues broke the British transfer record this summer when they signed Morgan Rogers for £117million, making him the marquee arrival at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea are far from done in the market, with a move for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix now in advanced stages.
Lacroix is set to sign a deal worth £52million, becoming the latest high-profile player to join the project Alonso is building in west London.
Questions have been raised about how Alonso intends to fit Rogers and Cole Palmer into the same lineup, with both players operating as attacking midfielders.
Alonso addressed those concerns directly, saying: “One of his best qualities is that he is flexible. He plays in that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our number ten – but he has also played on the right side even though he is more used to coming from the left.”
The Chelsea manager added: “He feels he is enjoying his game, his flow, and I’m sure he will have good connections with the other players around him. If we get those connections right, that will be a great step forward in the quality of our game.”
Defensively, Chelsea have serious work to do, having conceded 158 goals in the Premier League across the last three seasons despite multiple changes in personnel.
Marc Cucurella has already departed for Real Madrid this summer, while the futures of Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile at Stamford Bridge remain uncertain.
Chelsea are understood to be interested in signing free agent John Stones, who left Manchester City at the end of his contract, with the experienced 32-year-old seen as a cost-effective addition to complement the club’s heavier spending.
Club-to-club negotiations have also begun with Rayo Vallecano for defender Pep Chavarria, who has four years remaining on his current contract.
In attack, Chelsea have identified Alex Scott as a priority target, with the 22-year-old Bournemouth midfielder having already seen a £64million bid from Chelsea rejected by the south coast club.
Scott has turned down a new contract at Bournemouth and is said to be open to joining Stamford Bridge, meaning a renewed bid of around £80million could be enough to get a deal over the line.
Chelsea are also expected to trim their bloated squad before the transfer window closes, with Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Pedro Neto among those who could be sold.
Napoli have enquired about Badiashile, while Como have had three bids for Chalobah rejected, with Chelsea holding firm on a £35million asking price for the academy graduate.
Alonso acknowledged the squad will continue to evolve before the window shuts, saying: “We need to know that there will probably still be some movement. We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. It will probably change before the transfer window closes.”
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