Chelsea
If Xabi Alonso Took Charge at Chelsea: Formation, Principles and a Projected XI
Alonso favours a 3-4-2-1 at Chelsea, prioritising possession, an elite press and ball play and ball.
Chelsea’s search for a permanent manager to replace Liam Rosenior could stretch into a lengthy process. One realistic scenario is Xabi Alonso arriving and reshaping the team in his preferred image. From his time at Bayer Leverkusen Alonso established a clear affinity for a 3-4-2-1; that formation, or a fluid back four that builds into a three, is likely to be his starting point should he agree to take the job.
Alonso favours tactical flexibility, control of possession and an aggressive, attacking press. Chelsea possess pieces compatible with that blueprint but the squad’s relative inexperience means significant coaching and organisation would be required.
A plausible XI and the reasoning behind each selection:
GK: James Trafford. Uncertainty over Robert Sánchez’s true ability leaves Chelsea needing a ball-playing upgrade. The Blues would be wise to try and lure Trafford away from Manchester City to give Alonso’s side a reliable base from which to build.
CB: Reece James. A shift back to a 3-4-2-1 would see James moved centrally, with the demands of a wing back considered too great for his injury-prone frame. In the middle he can still step forward into midfield when required.
CB: Levi Colwill. Enzo Maresca made a point of stressing Colwill’s ability as a central center back. The academy graduate is among the best passers of the ball in his position and would fit well into Alonso’s system.
CB: Edmond Tapsoba. A key cog of Alonso’s success with Bayer Leverkusen, Tapsoba would bring height, aerial power and composure on the ball that Chelsea currently lack at the back.
RM: Malo Gusto. The wing back must shuttle up and down the flank. Gusto is the most obvious option, with Pedro Neto also mentioned as an alternative and room for Geovany Quenda if he impresses after his arrival from Sporting CP this summer.
CM: Moisés Caicedo. The defensive lynchpin, Caicedo is an elite, box-to-box talent whose importance is self-evident.
CM: Enzo Fernández. Alonso might prefer a more defensive presence here, but pressure to play Fernández is likely if no buyers meet Chelsea’s asking price. The challenge would be converting him into a more Xhaka-like role, taking cues from Alonso’s work with Arda Güler in Madrid.
LM: Marc Cucurella. If he remains at the club he would start, potentially returning to the wing back role in which he impressed at Brighton.
AM: Cole Palmer. The central creative figure, Palmer would be tasked with regaining his best form in a fluid front three to create and score chances.
The projected setup prioritises possession, structured ball progression and an intense front-foot press, while relying on targeted recruitment and coaching to adapt the current squad to Alonso’s demands.
Chelsea
Alonso’s First Briefing: Culture, Commitment and Immediate Expectations at Chelsea
Alonso: restores standards at Cobham, demand daily effort, rebuild culture and aims to compete fast.
Xabi Alonso used his first club interview to set a clear agenda for a Chelsea side that has fallen from the heights of recent seasons. He acknowledged the contrast between the club’s trophy-laden history and its current position, and framed his remit in terms of standards, daily work and an urgent push to be competitive.
“It’s a big honor,” he said of his new post. “To be part of this great club that is one of the best in the world, with great success in the last decades. It’s a big privilege to be a part of and now it’s looking forward to the challenge.
“We have challenges, nice challenges, ahead of us, but this is the beauty of the moment.”
Alonso pointed to the recent decline — after last season’s Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain and the expectation of a title challenge, Chelsea have slid into a crisis with no Champions League football and a fanbase impatient for progress. He made clear his intention to combine respect for what has worked previously with immediate corrective work.
“This is what excites me,” he stressed, “this challenge, this chance to prove that we can do great things, that we can create a solid base to be as competitive as soon as possible. We want to start good in the first years and the first games.
“The way they have, not so long ago, competed on the highest level, gave me assurance that the potential of the team was there, because of the quality of the players, because of the quality of the way they have played. So now, it will be the work to carry on many of the things that they’ve done and to know that we come in a very competitive level, the Premier League , but that’s the challenge.
“I’m sure that, with the commitment of everyone, with, for sure, hard work—that’s a must—and with the quality on the decisions that we have to take, we will be there to enjoy a good season.”
On discipline and daily standards he was direct: “There are football principles that are unnegotiatable,” he stressed. “In football, you need to be willing to pay all the price to compete on the highest level, so you can’t hold back anything. You need to give everything you have for the benefit of the team. And the team is always the most important thing.
“We need to create that culture, which is the process, and the process is on a daily basis here at Cobham, training every day to prepare for when we have to perform in front of our fans. But on the daily basis, we need to be the best and we need to know that the team is the most important.”
When hired in May, Alonso was unveiled as Chelsea’s new “manager,” rather than “head coach.”
Chelsea
What Andrey Santos’ Arrival Reveals About United’s Midfield Plan
United’s signing of Andrey Santos eases midfield pressure, but significant recruitment work remains.
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Andrey Santos in a package reported at $66.9 million (£50 million). The deal is understood to be an initial $64.3 million with a further $2.7 million available in add-ons described as “achievable”. Chelsea will also receive 10% of any profit United make on a future sale.
The transfer offers short-term cover to a midfield picture that has been a concern all summer. Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury is likely to keep him sidelined for the majority of the 2026–27 season. With Casemiro gone, Kobbie Mainoo is left as the only senior central midfielder to operate behind Bruno Fernandes. Santos, who only broke into the Chelsea team when his former Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior briefly took charge last season, provides additional depth but not a finished solution.
Éderson has been stuck in transfer limbo for weeks. The Atalanta midfielder remains technically at his club despite reports that he struck a deal with United worth around $52 million at the start of June. An emergency call-up to Brazil’s World Cup roster delayed any official announcement. Following a premature exit in the round of 16, Éderson is now set to undergo a second medical at Manchester United. Unless he took a deceptively severe battering during his two substitute appearances in the U.S., the healthy 27-year-old is expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
Even so, United’s recruitment so far looks incremental rather than transformative. Éderson and Santos can add a serrated edge to the base of Michael Carrick’s new-look midfield, yet neither fits the profile of the marquee signing the club sought. After losing out in the races for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United’s search continues. The Athletic reports the club always planned to add three midfielders. That quest has reportedly led to Aurélien Tchouaméni, though The Telegraph says United harbor doubts about the size of the fee required to prise him from Real Madrid. Already this summer, the Red Devils have shown reluctance to match the fees Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have spent on midfield reinforcements.
Champions League
Garnacho’s Next Step: Three Realistic Routes Ranked
Chelsea have moved Alejandro Garnacho to ‘for sale’; here are three realistic destinations ranked .
Chelsea paid Manchester United £40 million ($53.4 million) for Alejandro Garnacho last summer, but his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge fell short of expectations. The 22-year-old returned just two goals across 33 Premier League and Champions League appearances, although he was prolific in the Carabao Cup.
The Athletic reports Chelsea have shifted Garnacho from ‘not for sale’ to ‘for sale’ and will listen to offers. There is said to be interest from two clubs that will play in the Champions League next season and Chelsea want a permanent transfer rather than a loan. Below are three destinations, ranked from least to most likely given the information available.
3) Türkish Super Lig (Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe)
A move to the Türkish Super Lig would satisfy Chelsea’s desire for a permanent sale and those clubs have the financial resources to consider such a signing. Galatasaray have dominated domestically but struggled against Europe’s elite in the Champions League; progression to the round of 16 last season represented progress, yet the heavy defeat at Anfield against Liverpool highlighted the gap. The Turkish champions have legitimate superstars on their books, including Victor Osimhen, and have emerged as an attractive destination for gifted players from Europe’s top-five leagues. There have been no direct links to Garnacho, but the scenario is plausible on paper.
2) Como
Como are moving for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and, under Cesc Fàbregas, secured a maiden European qualifying berth last season. They have kept playmaker Nico Paz for their first continental campaign. Como frequently operated without a touchline left-winger last season, with Martin Baturina occupying the left of a creative trio. Garnacho would offer a different profile down that flank: a willing runner who stretches defences and can open space for Paz, even if he struggles in the final third. Italian media links are described as tenuous.
1) Napoli
Napoli pursued Garnacho last summer before Chelsea won the race. He never really felt like an Antonio Conte player; Conte then left after the 2024–25 Scudetto winners relinquished the title to Inter and Massimiliano Allegri was appointed as Conte’s successor. According to some reports, Napoli remain intrigued. Their need will depend on Noa Lang’s future and the impact of January arrival Alisson Santos. Garnacho does not appear indispensable for Napoli, especially if Lang stays, but he could follow Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund as ex-Man Utd players who thrive in Campania.
Alonso’s First Briefing: Culture, Commitment and Immediate Expectations at Chelsea
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