Chelsea
Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea Plan: Three Players Who Stand to Gain and Three Likely to Struggle
Alonso’s arrival forces tactical choices at Chelsea. Three clear beneficiaries and three at risk…
Chelsea’s appointment of Xabi Alonso this summer signals a clear reset at Stamford Bridge. The club have struck a deal to bring Alonso in and he is expected to have latitude to assemble a squad to his own specifications. That promise of change creates distinct opportunities and risks for the current group.
Cole Palmer is the most obvious beneficiary. Palmer “looked like a superstar under Mauricio Pochettino and impressed throughout Enzo Maresca’s first year,” but the 2025–26 season has been difficult. Under Alonso he can expect a return to a central attacking midfield role, with freedom to drift into damaging positions. The draft compares Palmer’s potential task to Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen, who produced double-figures for both goals and assists under Alonso and whose form prompted Liverpool to break their transfer record. Palmer’s attributes make him a strong candidate to become the focal point of Alonso’s midfield, and how the two work together could define both of their legacies at the club.
Reece James occupies a more ambiguous position. If Alonso deploys the 3-4-2-1 system he used at Leverkusen, the right wing back role is available and would suit James if he can demonstrate the necessary fitness; the draft notes that wing back under Thomas Tuchel produced the best form of his career. Alternatively, if James can no longer meet the physical demands, a right-sided centre back role could be an option.
Nicolas Jackson also looks well placed to benefit. He will return to Chelsea this summer after the conclusion of his loan with Bayern Munich. He is not a finished product, but his energy and willingness to run behind defences fit what Alonso asks of his front line, and a potential departure for Liam Delap could open a space for Jackson.
At risk are Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Marc Cucurella. Garnacho’s move last summer was driven by data and recruitment, and while his attitude has been excellent, “on the pitch, there has been very little success.” He struggled to adapt to an inside forward role under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. Gittens has underwhelmed on the field and faces recovery from a hamstring injury, while Cucurella is waiting on Alonso’s final formation call and may be asked to revert to a wing back role if the 3-4-2-1 returns. Alonso’s tactical preferences will quickly reveal who thrives and who must reinvent themselves.
Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Australia without Emegha, Quenda and Rogers
Chelsea have arrived in Australia without Emegha, Quenda and Rogers, but younger arrivals remain in the squad.
Chelsea have begun their preseason tour in Australia without three summer arrivals, with Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Morgan Rogers all missing from the travelling group.
Emegha and Quenda were both ruled out after minor injuries. Quenda’s absence should be brief, with Simon Johnson reporting that the winger is expected to join up with the squad for the second stage of the tour in Asia. Emegha, by contrast, is expected to spend about three weeks out and will not be back until after the squad returns.
Quenda’s £40 million ($53 million) move from Sporting CP had already been arranged in March 2025. His deal was agreed alongside Dário Essugo, who completed his move last summer.
Chelsea’s squad for the trip includes their goalkeepers Filip Jörgensen, Robert Sánchez, Ted Curd and Teddy Sharman-Lowe. The defensive group features Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aarón Anselmino, Levi Colwill, Calvin Diakite, Landon Emenalo, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra, Mamadou Sarr and Tayo Subuloye. In midfield are Dário Essugo, Roméo Lavia, Madhi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh and Reggie Watson, while the forwards listed are Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Omari Kellyman, Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Dastan Satpeyev and Estêvão.
Rogers is absent for a different reason. The club-record signing is being given time off after his Three Lions World Cup involvement this summer, with FIFA rules requiring players to have at least three weeks’ rest. With England involved until the third-place playoff on July 18, he is not expected at Chelsea’s training ground until early August.
That timeline makes the Aug. 8 friendly against AC Milan likely too soon for him. A first unofficial outing may instead come a week later against Real Sociedad.
Even with several names missing, Chelsea fans will still see some new arrivals in action. Marco Palestra is in the squad, as is Dastan Satpeyev, who does not turn 18 until Aug. 12. The change of manager has given the group a clean slate, and several younger players will hope this becomes their opening to the 2026-27 campaign.
Aston Villa
Chelsea move for MacPhee underlines the value of set-piece expertise
Chelsea are close to appointing Austin MacPhee, a move that strengthens their set-piece department ahead of 2026-27.
Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Austin MacPhee, who is expected to join Xabi Alonso’s coaching setup before the 2026-27 season begins.
MacPhee is set to leave Aston Villa after five seasons and step into the set-piece coach role at Chelsea, taking over from Bernardo Cueva. Cueva will remain part of Alonso’s staff, although in a behind-the-scenes capacity.
The move highlights how far the game has shifted. Set-piece coaching is no longer a detail tucked away on a staff chart. In modern soccer, dead-ball situations now carry major weight, with some teams placing them alongside, or even above, open-play structure as a route to goals.
What once passed almost unnoticed is now treated as a core part of club planning. Specialists in this area can shape results, and Chelsea appear to have targeted one of the most respected names in that field.
MacPhee’s work at Aston Villa made the club one of the most dangerous set-piece sides in Europe. His methods were described as innovative, creative and lethal, giving Unai Emery’s attack an added threat from dead-ball situations.
The numbers support that reputation. Villa scored 29 set-piece goals last season, the joint-most in Europe’s top-five leagues alongside Arsenal. Chelsea, by comparison, scored 21.
In a sport where efficiency from set pieces can be decisive, Chelsea are strengthening a department that has become increasingly important across the game.
If MacPhee does arrive, it will be the third separate piece of business between Chelsea and Aston Villa during the summer transfer window. Earlier in the month, Chelsea made attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history, paying a club-record $157.3 million (£117 million) to sign the England international from Villa.
Arsenal
Premier League clubs step up 2026/27 preseason with fixtures spread across the world
Premier League clubs are spread across Europe, Asia and the US in a busy 2026/27 preseason.
With the World Cup having only recently concluded, Premier League clubs are already deep into their 2026/27 preseason programmes. The calendar is tight, the travel is heavy and the purpose is clear: get players ready, test combinations and give new faces a chance to make an early impression.
Arsenal, the reigning champions, are among the later starters. Their first friendly comes on Aug. 1 against Girona in Catalonia, before further meetings with Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como. They will then face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Aston Villa have already opened with a 5-0 win over Walsall and continue across Europe and Asia, while Bournemouth began with a 4-1 victory against St. Pauli. Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion both have short schedules remaining, with each taking on European opposition in mid-August.
Chelsea’s first run under new manager Xabi Alonso takes them to Australia for matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, before trips through Hong Kong, Jakarta and Malaysia. Their final friendly is against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Everton have mixed early results and face a demanding route through Scotland, Germany and home soil before meeting Lille. Fulham also have work to do after a behind-closed-doors defeat to Norwich City. Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City all have their own preparations mapped out, while Crystal Palace have already played twice and continue with fixtures in Italy and Germany.
Liverpool’s schedule includes a United States tour against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United, followed by Monaco and two games against Como on Aug. 16. Manchester City are taking a lighter approach, starting with Inter in Hong Kong before facing the K-League All-Stars, Atlético Madrid and Arsenal. Manchester United, meanwhile, have already lost to Wrexham and beaten Rosenborg 5-0, with Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and Milan still to come.
Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur also remain busy, with each club using these final weeks to sharpen up before the league begins.
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