Chelsea
Güler backs Xabi Alonso as the steadying figure Chelsea need
Güler believes Alonso’s tactical clarity and man-management offer Chelsea clear reason for optimism.
Arda Güler has offered a clear endorsement of Xabi Alonso as the new Chelsea manager, arguing the incoming coach’s rigour and clarity could address the fractured dressing room left after the previous regime. Alonso struck a deal to become the next permanent boss at Stamford Bridge earlier this month and arrives with the task of rebuilding his reputation.
Güler, a Real Madrid midfielder, described Alonso’s presence in the coaching room and the way he communicates with players. “When he calls you into his office and explains something about tactics, it’s very difficult not to be convinced,” Güler told TRT Spor . “He knows very well what you’re capable of. He knows very well what he can contribute. In other words, he was a man who probably woke up every day thinking about how to improve this player, how to communicate with him.
“Before our first game, when I was in the starting XI, he told me in the morning: ‘I want you to touch the ball more than everyone next to you.’ When you hear that, it’s not hard to be convinced.”
Those remarks speak to a manager who asks specific things of individuals and who builds authority through detailed instruction. That is a contrast with the situation at Stamford Bridge in April, when the club dismissed Liam Rosenior and reports described a wide disconnect between that manager and much of the squad. Rosenior’s approach to man-management was often teased on social media and appeared not to succeed behind the scenes, leaving players and staff questioning whether his background in the lower tiers prepared him for the demands of the club.
Many at Chelsea are inexperienced and the dressing room would likely respond to a higher-profile, more authoritative figure. Alonso’s managerial CV contains high points and setbacks: the prestige of an unbeaten Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen soured by struggles in Madrid. His playing career remains an unquestioned asset, and his arrival at Chelsea will test whether his methods can restore cohesion and performance.
Chelsea
Celebrities Preview Chelsea’s Leaked 2026-27 Home Shirt Ahead of Official Launch
Celebrities have been seen wearing Chelsea’s 2026-27 home shirt ahead of the June 2 official reveal.
Over the past weeks a string of public appearances by well known figures has provided an unofficial preview of Chelsea’s 2026-27 home shirt ahead of the club’s official launch on June 2. The jersey, manufactured by Nike, has been pictured on a variety of high-profile outings, giving fans a clear sense of its look before the club releases formal images.
Former U.S. Open champion Justin Rose wore the shirt at the PGA Championship for his opening round, while Brazilian singer songwriter MC Hariel was seen in the short-sleeve version during a performance. Those glimpses highlighted a minimalist approach to the design, with a handful of gold accents and a lion crest that stands alone rather than inside a modern circular badge. Observers also noted a tonal pattern of the Chelsea crest across the front, which becomes more apparent in direct sunlight.
Madonna appeared in the shirt when she met British Kick streamer Gymskin, who helped bring her classic hit ‘Into the Groove’ back up the U.K. charts after a viral video on his social media. Madonna is a known Chelsea supporter and has been spotted in the stands at Stamford Bridge for big clashes in the past. She also has a home base in London, where she met Gymskin.
On a different stage, WWE superstar Chelsea Green arrived on Friday Night SmackDown wearing the same shirt, a reminder of the crossover attention the kit has attracted. The leaked images so far show a jersey without any shirt sponsor.
The unofficial parade of sightings comes as new boss Xabi Alonso prepares to address the problems that affected the club at Stamford Bridge last season. Chelsea failed to qualify for any European competition and face a busy transfer window as part of the wider summer overhaul. The club has confirmed the 2026-27 home shirt will drop on June 2, when official photos are due to feature the side’s biggest stars.
Chelsea
Five Madrid players Chelsea could offer in a potential Enzo Fernández swap
Chelsea could include five Real Madrid players in a swap to reduce a £120 million fee for Enzo this
Chelsea appear increasingly resigned to losing Enzo Fernández this summer amid intense transfer speculation. The club are seemingly demanding £120 million, but a straight cash payment of that size could put Real Madrid off. Including a Madrid player in a swap would be a more palatable option for Los Blancos.
With Xabi Alonso now in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have a manager who knows which former Madrid players he might want to reunite with in west London. Below are five names from Madrid’s recent squads who could be proposed as makeweights in any Fernández deal.
Arda Güler was a clear favourite of Alonso during his seven-month spell at the Bernabéu. Under Alonso no player made more appearances than Güler’s 34, during which he produced four goals and 10 assists. The Türkiye international was used in a variety of positions but primarily in midfield, both as an advanced No. 10 and as a deeper playmaker. “When he calls you into his office and explains something about tactics, it’s very difficult not to be convinced,” Güler recently revealed when speaking about Alonso. If Madrid’s next manager, almost certainly José Mourinho, promises Güler a key role, a move to a Chelsea side without European football might be less attractive. Still, Chelsea would be right to test both club and player.
Eduardo Camavinga made a weaker impression on Alonso and was used just 19 times prior to Álvaro Arbeloa’s mid-season arrival. Madrid no longer view him as untouchable after a testing campaign and critics highlighted inconsistent performances. Camavinga’s versatility, capable of operating in central midfield and at left back, and his experience make him a realistic makeweight, particularly if omission from the France squad for this summer’s World Cup motivates a change of scenery.
Federico Valverde would be the ideal midfield target. The 27-year-old Uruguayan has been a mainstay for Madrid over the past five seasons and is a two-time Champions League winner. Madrid appear unlikely to entertain a swap involving Valverde, though there have been murmurs of a softer stance. A training ground bust-up with Aurélien Tchouaméni that left Valverde hospitalised has affected perceptions, and reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City has been noted.
Jacobo Ramón is no longer a Madrid player but could still be part of talks. The 21-year-old joined Como last summer, made 32 Serie A appearances, and helped the club qualify for the Champions League under ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. Madrid hold a buyback clause of $9.4 million (£7 million) this summer; his market value is reported to be around four times that figure, making him a potentially useful negotiating asset.
Victor Muñoz is another young player Madrid sold last summer. The academy graduate joined Osasuna, registered 12 goal involvements and earned a place on Spain’s World Cup roster. He could return to Madrid for $9.5 million (£7.1 million) and interest from Barcelona could prompt Los Blancos to re-sign him and then move him on to help facilitate any Fernández transfer.
Arsenal
Five transfer sagas set to dominate the summer window
Five transfer sagas to follow this summer: Diomande, Fernández, Álvarez, Anderson, Wharton. Details.
Summer will bring the familiar long negotiations and headline-grabbing speculation as clubs pursue a handful of marquee targets. Here are five stories most likely to shape the window.
Yan Diomande’s rise has been swift. Up until November 2024 he was in a youth academy in Florida, then moved from the United States to Leganés before an eye-catching switch to RB Leipzig last summer. The 19-year-old has recorded 13 goals and nine assists in an astonishing debut season with Leipzig and is now attracting Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Reports value him around €100 million (£87m, $116m). Diomande will represent Côte d’Ivoire at the World Cup, a factor likely to complicate and prolong any transfer.
Enzo Fernández publicly cast doubt over his future during the March international break after flirting with Real Madrid. Speculation over his Chelsea exit has intensified with Manchester City joining the race and Enzo Maresca seen as the likely successor to Pep Guardiola. There is a sense that Chelsea’s final day defeat to Sunderland was Fernández’s last outing for the club, and he looks increasingly unlikely to spearhead Xabi Alonso’s revolution at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are reportedly demanding around £120 million ($161 million), and the player’s participation at the World Cup for Argentina will delay any resolution.
Julián Álvarez remains a central talking point. Having stayed at Atlético Madrid for the 2025/26 campaign, the 26-year-old appears destined to leave Spain’s capital before next season. Barcelona are favourites and are preparing to launch a first official bid of roughly €100 million (£87m, $116m), though Atlético may seek more. Arsenal are also interested despite already possessing Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Elliot Anderson’s stock has risen sharply after a breakthrough season with Nottingham Forest and an England call-up for the World Cup. Interest from Manchester City and Manchester United looks significant, with City seemingly in the driving seat despite Guardiola’s exit. It could take about £100 million ($134 million) to complete that move. Anderson’s midfield compatriot Adam Wharton finished the campaign by leading Crystal Palace to Conference League glory, adding to the FA Cup won last term, and Palace face Europe-wide interest. Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd have all been mentioned, with Palace valuing Wharton at approximately £100 million ($134 million).
