How Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea could look in 2026-27

Xabi Alonso is one of the top emerging managers in the world of football right now.

He was the man to end Bayern Munich’s decade-long Bundesliga trophy streak when he won the title with Bayer Leverkusen, playing an attractive press and possess brand of football in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.

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His time at Real Madrid may have been cut short, but many would agree he was let go rather unfairly, given his 70% win rate at the club – even higher than his time at Leverkusen.

He enters Chelsea Football Club as one of the most reputable managers in the world, despite only being in the managerial scene for seven years. He also enters at a time when Chelsea desperately need someone to steady the ship. The Blues finished a measly 10th in the 2025-26 Premier League season, and lost the backing of some of their most influential stars.

Although the Blues have spent over a £1 billion in the Todd Boehly era, they now have someone with a clear tactical identity that can work to get the best out of another summer of new recruits. The early indications are expensive, but positive.

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Morgan Rogers enters the fold as someone who can play a number of positions and roles, bringing greater energy and intensity to an Alonso press and possess philosophy.

Maxence Lacroix marks the first time in over a season that the club have spent on a player over the age of 25. He’s confident, classy, and does the simple things exceptionally well. Even before they teamed up ar Palace, I likened Lacroix to Marc Guehi. They’re both very simple in their approach, winning a high percentage of their duels without doing anything over the top, flashy, or risky. Guehi’s firmly now considered one of the best in his position. Lacroix could soon be on the horizon.

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This isn’t just another player of the same calibre of a Trevoh Chalobah (who admittedly improved in abundance last year), or Tosin Adarabioyo, or Benoît Badiashile. Chelsea have signed a number of centre-backs in the past few years, and none of them have looked entirely convincing.

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Lacroix is a step above. This is a player in the Levi Colwill or Wesley Fofana category of excellence, who has proven his capacity to remain fit and durable to last an entire Premier League campaign. Lacroix played 35 league matches for Palace last season, anchoring their defense in the middle of Glasner’s back-three. The signing of Frenchman would be one of the earliest indicators that Alonso intends to bring his favoured formation over to the Blues.

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He’s a great ball-playing defender who excels in 1v1 situations due to his speed and timing of decision making. He’s good in the air, good on the dribble, and an exceptional long passer. Chelsea have signed a well-rounded defender, and also one with proven Premier League experience.

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The £100 million+ fee for Morgan Rogers was a hefty one, but another that brings proven Premier League experience to the Blues’ attack. Rogers is exceptional at getting into dangerous pockets of space to work his magic, where he’s proven to be clinical in turning space into goals. He notched 10 goals with 6 assists last campaign, leading Villa in both chances created and expected assists (xA).

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He’s not just a reliable goal contributor. He’s a reliable starter and performer. No one at Villa had more minutes than Morgan Rogers last year, not even Ezri Konsa or Emi Martinez (both of whom would dramatically improve the Blues by the way if they too wanted to switch sides).

He even came alive in the final few matches for England at the World Cup after barely kicking a ball at first, showcasing his mentality. He works hard, puts in a defensive shift, and gives the Blues options above all else.

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As the transfer window evolves, a Marc Cucurella replacement will remain top of the concern list. Cucurella grew in frustration last campaign, and ultimately opted to head in the opposite direction from the incoming Alonso, joining Real Madrid. Álvaro Carreras has been tipped as a potential option, but Chelsea are yet to decide on their concrete replacement.

Now seems like a convenient time to have Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento or one of the other many young players Chelsea developed just to let go. Alonso will be hoping to identify a new one in the squad immediately. If not, I’d be pushing for Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth, who assisted 5 goals and started all 38 matches last campaign.

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In goal, Mike Penders will return from a successful loan spell at Strasbourg, and compete with Robert Sanchez. Sanchez looked shaky in the back-half of 2025-26, and has never fully convinced that he can be of the level desired. Penders could be the solution; and reinforcements may be up for debate in the position.

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Elsewhere on and off the pitch, Alonso can focus on instilling his methodologies and making an already talented team of players believe in his approach.

Rogers and Palmer could reliably fill the inside wing slots in an Alonso front-three system, or dovetail around each other in a 4-2-3-1. Nicolas Jackson could also return from his season-long loan spell at Bayern, providing more support to the 15 goals Joao Pedro contributed last campaign.

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Behind them, you have the right support in midfield with Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo and Reece James.

Malo Gusto will provide support to James at right-back, and Chelsea have enough centre-back coverage to support three Chelsea’s. This is encouraging for Alonso, especially given that they can only go up from an abysmal 10th place finished last season, even if he takes time to find the right formulas with some of those key stars.

For now, as the summer continues to unfold, this is how Chelsea could line up next season:

If you enjoyed this preview, I’ll be writing about Manchester United’s upcoming season under Michael Carrick next, including all of their midfield changes. In the meantime, thanks for reading, and see you soon!