As Xabi Alonso prepares to walk through the doors at Stamford Bridge on July 1 to begin his four-year contract, Chelsea are gearing up for what promises to be one of their most transformative transfer windows in recent years.
With the Spanish coach set to wield significant influence over recruitment alongside the club’s sporting leadership, the Blues are determined to hand him a squad capable of competing at the highest level. However, creating that squad will require difficult decisions — and significant sales.
According to analysis by football.london’s Chelsea correspondent Bobby Vincent, Chelsea could generate a staggering £368.8 million by offloading 12 players this summer. The message from the club appears clear: no one is untouchable if the right offer arrives.
The Big One: Enzo Fernandez (£120m)
The headline departure could be club captain and World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez. While Chelsea would ideally prefer to keep the Argentina international, sources indicate his desire to leave is genuine, with Real Madrid’s interest well-documented.
The club has set a firm valuation of £120 million — a figure they will not budge from. As one source put it, there is “little to no point” in keeping a player who does not want to be at the club. A sale at this price would immediately give Alonso major financial firepower.
Attacking and Wide Options
Alejandro Garnacho (£34.6m) Signed from Manchester United for £40m just last summer, the Argentine winger’s Chelsea chapter has been short and underwhelming. With the club targeting a new left-sided winger and Geovany Quenda arriving from Sporting CP, Garnacho looks set to depart — likely at a small loss that Chelsea can absorb.
Liam Delap (£27.7m) The young striker has struggled to adapt to life as Chelsea’s No.9, netting just two goals in his debut season. While Delap reportedly wants to fight for his place under Alonso, the club may choose to cut their losses on the 23-year-old.
Defensive Clear-Out
Wesley Fofana (£24.2m) A £75m signing from Leicester City nearly four years ago, Fofana has failed to live up to expectations. Two red cards in the 2025/26 season have only added to concerns about his discipline and consistency. He does not appear to fit the new culture Chelsea are trying to build.
Malo Gusto (£30.3m) The France international right-back divides opinion. While he remains a solid squad option, his inconsistency has been noted. Chelsea could capitalise on his age and international status to secure a strong fee, especially with emerging talents like Josh Acheampong in the pipeline.
Marc Cucurella (£43.3m) The Spanish left-back has just over two years left on his contract and has already flirted with a move away. Atletico Madrid are said to be interested, and Cucurella himself has hinted at a desire to return to La Liga.
Tosin Adarabioyo (£15.5m) Brought in on a free transfer, Tosin has had useful moments but may have reached the end of his cycle at Stamford Bridge.
Axel Disasi (£12.9m) After an impressive loan spell at West Ham, Disasi has shown his quality. Chelsea may look to maximise his value, though it seems unlikely he will feature in Alonso’s long-term plans.
Benoit Badiashile (£15.5m) Limited opportunities have seen the 25-year-old struggle for rhythm. Chelsea will hope to recoup more than his current valuation for the promising French defender.
Midfield and Goalkeeping Departures
Romeo Lavia (£21.6m) Signed amid intense competition from Liverpool, Lavia’s time at Chelsea has been ruined by recurring injuries. The club may look to move on from the Belgian midfielder to avoid further frustration.
Filip Jorgensen (£12.9m) The Danish goalkeeper has made it clear he wants to leave after a face-to-face meeting with the club. As a second-choice keeper seeking regular football, Chelsea may have to accept a reduced fee to facilitate his exit.
Marc Guiu (£10.3m) The young Spanish striker is likely to fall further down the pecking order with new arrivals expected. A loan or permanent sale appears the most realistic outcome.
Building for the Future
Selling all 12 players would hand Xabi Alonso a formidable £368.8 million war chest. This financial muscle, combined with the manager’s authority in transfer matters, could allow Chelsea to overhaul the squad significantly while staying within financial regulations.
The coming weeks will be decisive. For the first time in several windows, it feels like Chelsea are ready to make the tough calls necessary to take the next step under a elite-level coach.
The only way forward, it seems, is out.