Chelsea are set for an incredibly busy summer with a new manager in the dugout and a change of tune from BlueCo. Plenty of promises have been made, but Joe Cole is sceptical.
Xabi Alonso has been ‘named’ manager at Chelsea with the intention of giving him power. But clearly, it is also a message to Chelsea fans that a new era is incoming and Alonso is the man guiding Chelsea into it.
Behdad Eghbali has been vocal in saying Chelsea will target more experienced players, and that BlueCo are aiming to learn from their mistakes this summer. The fact of the matter is, there are no new signings.
Xabi Alonso has his SEVEN Chelsea ‘untouchables’ 👀
Do you agree with them?
- Reece James
- Cole Palmer
- Joao Pedro
- Estevao Willian
- Moises Caicedo
- Josh Acheampong
- Levi Colwill
Pre-existing deals aside, Chelsea are yet to do any business since Alonso was confirmed. One aspect that has come out of Chelsea since Alonso’s announcement, however, is the current ‘untouchable’ players.
Chelsea’s untouchables and Joe Cole’s honest verdict
The word ‘untouchable’ first emerged when Liam Rosenior had to ridicule rumours linking Cole Palmer with an exit. Then, Joao Pedro was deemed the same as Barcelona pushed for the Brazil international.
More recently, young defender Josh Acheampong has also been branded ‘untouchable’ to suitors. One report says Chelsea consider seven players untouchable, including Palmer, Acheampong and Pedro.
Alongside those three, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo and Estevao are seen the same. It is clear Chelsea will not consider their sales, and a price tag has not been discussed because of that.
Speaking to The Mail, however, Chelsea icon Cole believes the reports coming out of his old club when it comes to certain players being ‘untouchable’ are simply wrong. He explains why Chelsea would sell them.
“Because so much money has been wasted at Chelsea, no player is untouchable; every player has a price, because it’s run as a business. Under Roman Abramovich, the club was run to win trophies first,”
“Make money second. Now, the club is run to make money first, win trophies second. That’s the truth. You can do both, but you’ve got to be very, very, very good. It’s important to be honest in this current climate.
“Chelsea fans aren’t silly,” Cole continued. “They know what’s going on. Let Xabi Alonso do his work, and we move,” he summarised. Ultimately, no one knows what Chelsea’s summer will look like, even Alonso.
The positions Chelsea and Alonso need to sort out this summer
Alonso will work alongside Chelsea’s quintet of sporting directors, rather than above or below them. Together, they need to sort out the options in goal, reduce the centre-back numbers and much more.
Filip Jorgensen is likely to go, leaving Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders. Alonso will have to make a decision on whether they are the two he wants to enter 2026-27 with. Then, centre-back is crucial.
How would you rank Chelsea’s so-called “untouchables” ahead of the new season?
Here is The Chelsea Chronicle's list!
7. Josh Acheampong
6. Estevao Willian
5. Levi Colwill
4. Moises Caicedo
3. Joao Pedro
2. Reece James
1. Cole Palmer
Chelsea need a first-choice partner to go alongside Levi Colwill and have nine potential options on the books, including Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato.
A decision will have to be made on whether Chelsea have the ideal partner for Colwill, or if they need to go into the market. The Blues will have to reduce their number of players in the middle of defence.
Sorting out the left of the attack is key, too. Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho have failed on the left and a more experienced signing makes sense – though Pedro Neto proved with Portugal he is that man.
Up top, Joao Pedro needs competition with Liam Delap’s future in doubt and Marc Guiu likely to depart. Emanuel Emegha will join and Nicolas Jackson will return. More and more decisions for Alonso to make.
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