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Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager-director from 2026

5/22/2026

Summary

Chelsea hires Alonso

Chelsea hired Xabi Alonso as manager on a four-year deal starting 1 July 2026.
The club finished eighth, missed the Champions League and may face sanctions for overspending.
Alonso will direct transfer policy, with Joao Pedro linked to a £65 million Barcelona move and Enzo Fernandez targeted by Real Madrid for £107 million.
Chelsea’s tour visits Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Johor Darul Tazim on 11 August, while transfers could see Marc Cucurella move to Barcelona and Liam Delap join Everton.

Summary

Chelsea Offloads

Chelsea may sell several signings this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho, bought for £40 million, is out of favour and may be sold.
Liam Delap, a £30 million striker with two goals in 25 games, is likely to leave, possibly for Sunderland.
Benoit Badiashile, the £35 million centre-back who missed the last seven squads, may exit.
Filip Jorgensen could be replaced by Mike Maignan or promoted Mike Penders, while defenders Josh Acheampong and Mamadou Sarr are preferred.

History

Historical Context

Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for about £60 million, cleared £80 million of debt and, after hiring José Mourinho in 2004, delivered back-to-back titles despite a £140 million loss in 2005. The 2026 hiring of Xabi Alonso and the proposed João Pedro sale revive the same high-budget, star-manager model now overseen by BlueCo.

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Chelsea hires Alonso

Chelsea hired Xabi Alonso as manager on a four-year deal starting 1 July 2026.
The club finished eighth, missed the Champions League and may face sanctions for overspending.
Alonso will direct transfer policy, with Joao Pedro linked to a £65 million Barcelona move and Enzo Fernandez targeted by Real Madrid for £107 million.
Chelsea’s tour visits Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Johor Darul Tazim on 11 August, while transfers could see Marc Cucurella move to Barcelona and Liam Delap join Everton.

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