Story perspectives

Alonso Invests €189 m in Four Signings, Cuts Squad

8/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chelsea announced manager Xabi Alonso signed left-back Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano for €19 million.
Alonso signed centre-back Maxence Lacroix (€60 million), wing-back Marco Palestra (€60 million) and right-winger Geovany Quenda (€50 million).
Chelsea’s 39-player squad, including nine centre-backs, will be cut to four or five.
Chelsea sold Trevoh Chalobah to Como for $41.5 million (£30 million) and is evaluating forward Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk for transfers or loans.

History

Historical Context

In June 2003 Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea for £60 million, launching a £2 billion spending spree that delivered five Premier League titles and two Champions League wins. The club’s 2024 squad rebuild under manager Xabi Alonso echoes that model, using heavy investment to reshape depth while recalling the financial risks that later led to the 2022 sale to Todd Boehly’s consortium.

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Story summary

Chelsea announced manager Xabi Alonso signed left-back Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano for €19 million.
Alonso signed centre-back Maxence Lacroix (€60 million), wing-back Marco Palestra (€60 million) and right-winger Geovany Quenda (€50 million).
Chelsea’s 39-player squad, including nine centre-backs, will be cut to four or five.
Chelsea sold Trevoh Chalobah to Como for $41.5 million (£30 million) and is evaluating forward Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk for transfers or loans.

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