Xabi Alonso is set to immerse himself in the chaos that is Chelsea Football Club this week ahead of pre-season starting on Thursday, and there are plenty of issues he has got to sort out.
The major task staring Alonso in the face is trimming Chelsea’s bloated squad. With new signings, loan players returning, and World Cup stars coming back, Chelsea have a squad that exceeds 40 players.
Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! 🏆
Failure to qualify for Europe means Chelsea need an injection of cash from player sales, but it also means Chelsea do not need the depth ahead of 2026-27. But that scratches the surface for Alonso this summer.
He has to make some new signings with Marco Palestra on board, instill a style of play, and prepare his side ahead of a first friendly at the end of the month. But Jesse Derry has got to become a new priority.
Jesse Derry, the situation: Chelsea have to move very quickly
Derry made his debut for Chelsea last season, initially under Liam Rosenior before his Premier League debut under Calum McFarlane. BlueCo have made it rare for an academy talent to break into the side.
But Derry has done that and is a firm contender to be involved next season, with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens struggling. However, there is interest in Derry and Chelsea have got to move very quickly.
According to Pete O’Rourke, Chelsea have opened talks to extend Derry’s deal with Bayern Munich, and Juventus now in talks for the teenager. Renewing his contract must become a priority for Alonso.
O’Rourke posted on X: “Understand Jesse Derry’s representatives are in talks with Chelsea over a new long-term contract after approaches from Bayern Munich and Juventus.”
Jesse Derry should become a new priority for Xabi Alonso
Alonso already has plenty on his desk. But Chelsea need to make a new deal for Derry a priority, for so many reasons. One being that Derry is a supreme talent, a homegrown one, and Chelsea can’t let him go.
With BlueCo’s approach to transfer windows and treating players as commodities, Derry will be worried about his game time, having had a sniff of it last season. He will want assurances that he’s in his plans.
Who is the most exciting academy talent at Cobham right now?👀
Let us know of any young players we may have missed…
Especially with the lure of Bayern Munich and Juventus likely to prove tempting. But because of his huge potential, his homegrown nature, and maintaining his resale value, this needs to be a priority for Alonso.
He has got to get Chelsea and Derry’s representatives around the table as soon as possible to eradicate any possibility of an exit before Derry’s head turns. Time is of the essence, and Chelsea must get moving.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
