Chelsea have been busy this summer. Five new signings were sealed before Xabi Alonso’s arrival, and three more are confirmed, with Maxence Lacroix possibly announced on Sunday.
Emmanuel Emegha has made a solid start, scoring in both of Chelsea’s behind-closed-doors friendlies. But injury has struck, and the same goes for Geovany Quenda. Dastan Satpayev is on Chelsea’s tour.
Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and now Pedro Neto! Why do our Premier League rivals always want to sign players not rated by the fan base? What aren’t we seeing? 😵💫
Enzo Maresca is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Neto at Man City
Left-back Denner is also said to have arrived but will begin life with the U21s, as will the club’s latest new signing, Harrison Bettoni. Valentin Barco is yet to be announced, but the Argentine has joined Chelsea.
This weekend, there is every chance that Chelsea will announce the arrival of Maxence Lacroix despite Xabi Alonso’s men jetting off to Australia. Now, a tenth possible signing is close to being confirmed.
Chelsea close in on brilliant Kerim Alajbegovic transfer
With the five additions made before Alonso’s tenure, the three since he became manager, and Lacroix set to arrive as the fourth, Kerim Alajbegovic looks more than likely to be announced as his fourth.
It sees Chelsea raid Alonso’s old side Bayer Leverkusen for one of Europe’s most exciting talents, and yet, Nicolo Schira reports Chelsea could do a deal for as little as £36m to sign the Bosnian wonderkid.
“Kerim Alajbegovic has agreed personal terms for a contract until 2033 with Chelsea, which are now ready to close the deal from Bayer Leverkusen for €42M [£36m] – bonuses included,” Schira reported on X.
It’s a brilliant deal. This is not a teenage talent impressing in a lesser league, this is a wonderkid scoring goals in the Bundesliga and at the World Cup. A long-range shooting ability expected of an elder player.
To get Alajbegovic, especially given the backlash Leverkusen may receive for selling to their old gaffer, is sensational business. Of all the work Chelsea have done this summer, Alajbegovic could be the best.
Chelsea needed a happy back-up to Cole Palmer
It will be interesting to see what Alonso does with Alajbegovic. Could he allow him to return on loan to Leverkusen this summer? Chelsea and BlueCo have often signed young players and sent them on loan.
Mike Penders, for example, returns this summer. Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr and plenty of current Chelsea stars have followed that model. It would see Alajbegovic continue his development in Germany.
How do you rate each of Chelsea’s new signings 1️⃣-🔟?
But such is the quality of this deal, Alajbegovic is good enough to make an impact immediately in West London. But he is needed, too. Cole Palmer struggled with injury during the 2025-26 season.
Palmer finished second in the summer bleep test and looks fit. But if he does struggle to remain injury free, the Blues need a back-up no.10 that is willing to sit on the bench. Morgan Rogers is simply not that.
Indeed, Chelsea have pitched the left-wing role to Rogers, and he will start regardless. Alajbegovic, given his age, will be happy to play second fiddle to Palmer initially. The deal is brilliant, even underrated.
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