The summer window was always going to be a difficult one for Chelsea after failing to qualify for any form of European competition. Now, Chelsea have found out just how hard it is going to be.
While the lure of Xabi Alonso will attract some players, finishing in tenth position in the Premier League leaves Chelsea without the leverage of European football. Chelsea are shopping in the top market.
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But players of that calibre will want to be involved in Europe. It is also a key reason behind reports that Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and other Chelsea players are considering their Stamford Bridge futures.
Without that lure in negotiations, Chelsea are going to struggle to compete with some of the Premier League’s Champions League sides. But clubs like Brighton also have a place in Europe come 2026-27.
Chelsea miss out as Brighton confirm Zadok Yahonna signing
Earlier this week, it was reported that Chelsea were looking at teenage winger Zadok Yohanna, with the Nigerian impressing after breaking into Swedish side AIK’s senior side. He played six times during 2025.
During Sweden’s 2026 campaign, Yahonna has had a hand in nine goals in 12 games – scoring five and laying on four assists. At just 18, that form has not gone unnoticed, and Chelsea were strongly linked.
However, Brighton have now confirmed the signing of Yahonna. BBC Sport claim the Seagulls, who have raked in a whole heap of cash from Chelsea over the years, have spent £21.5m to land the attacker.
The Mail’s Kieran Gill reports on his X channel: “News on Zadok Yohanna. AIK have reached an agreement with Brighton for the transfer of the 18-year-old winger, who had interest from Chelsea and Newcastle.”
Another young winger is the last thing Chelsea need
Xabi Alonso has been given equal power in the transfer department to the club’s five sporting directors. But it doesn’t take a genius among them to realise that Chelsea do not need to sign a young winger.
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Chelsea have been linked with both this summer.
Already, Chelsea boast Jesse Derry, Estevao and the incoming Geovany Quenda. Three wide players all still in their teens. Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens are very much in their early twenties.
Indeed, Chelsea’s only experienced attacking option out wide is Pedro Neto. If Chelsea are going to bring in a new winger this summer, then it needs to be one that the youngsters at Chelsea can learn from.
Players like Jarrod Bowen and Rafael Leao have been linked with Chelsea, and surely, they will make more sense to Alonso. Indeed, Alonso is a big fan of West Ham captain Bowen and has made that publicly clear.
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