Xabi Alonso has emerged as a leading candidate to become Chelsea’s next head coach, and reports suggest the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss could waste little time reshaping the squad upon arrival at Stamford Bridge.
With the Blues aiming to appoint a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior before the end of next month, football.london understands that Alonso is on a shortlist of options being considered by the club’s five-man sporting leadership team. While the immediate focus remains on securing the right manager, preparations for a busy summer transfer window are already underway, with Chelsea targeting reinforcements in key areas: a centre-back, a central midfielder, and a world-class left-winger.
However, incoming talent will likely be balanced by significant outgoing activity. A number of players have failed to impress this season, contributing to Chelsea’s precarious position outside the UEFA club competition places. With only two Premier League matches and an FA Cup final remaining, several squad members face a race against time to prove their worth. Yet for some, the writing appears to be on the wall.
Here are the seven Chelsea players who could be axed this summer under a new regime led by Xabi Alonso:
Alejandro Garnacho Signed from Manchester United for £40 million last summer, the Argentine winger has largely shown a strong attitude and positional intelligence in the final third despite early scrutiny over his reputation. Still, his wastefulness in front of goal remains an issue. With Chelsea determined to sign a top left-winger to elevate the team, Garnacho could find himself surplus to requirements — especially with Jamie Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for around £50 million, waiting in the wings once fully fit.
Marc Guiu The young Spanish striker arrived from Barcelona for just £5 million in July 2024 and showed promise in his first season. An injury disrupted his momentum, and despite a loan spell at Sunderland that was cut short following Nicolas Jackson’s departure to Bayern Munich, Guiu has started only five games this term, accumulating just over 500 minutes. At 20, he may need regular football elsewhere if Chelsea’s new coach seeks more established options up front.
Benoit Badiashile As part of a much-needed defensive overhaul, the 25-year-old Frenchman — signed from Monaco for £35 million in January 2023 — could be moved on. Limited impact at Stamford Bridge, combined with Levi Colwill’s return to fitness and the emergence of Jorrel Hato, leaves Badiashile with few pathways into the starting XI. His inability to comfortably cover the right-sided centre-back role further complicates his future, given competition from Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Josh Acheampong.
Tosin Adarabioyo The 28-year-old defender joined on a free transfer in summer 2024, meaning any sale would represent pure profit. Aside from a solid showing in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds, Adarabioyo has struggled to consistently impress. A summer exit looks increasingly likely as Chelsea look to refresh their defensive options.
Three loanees on thin ice Axel Disasi has performed well at West Ham, yet his long-term Chelsea future remains uncertain. Tyrique George has failed to make a significant impact during his time at Everton, while Nicolas Jackson’s high-profile move to Bayern Munich has already signalled the end of one chapter. All three could be offloaded as part of a wider squad reset.
This potential clear-out reflects BlueCo’s ruthless ambition to build a more cohesive and competitive squad capable of challenging at the highest level. While some players will be disappointed, others will see the arrival of a high-calibre coach like Xabi Alonso as an opportunity for a fresh start.