After Chelsea’s worst campaign that saw them cycle through three different managers, the future promises brighter times under Xabi Alonso.
It is certain that the Spaniard will have a bigger say in the transfer market than his predecessors which should be music to the fans’ ears.
Indeed, the Blues’ record in the transfer market since Todd Boehly and Co entered the building has been mixed to say the least. For every Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, there was Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho.
With their many signings, Chelsea have not moved the needle. They have stagnated while others, notably Arsenal, have taken huge steps forward.
So, who could be Alonso’s first signing?
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One of the first orders of business for the new manager to address will be the future of Enzo Fernandez.
The chances of the Argentinian playing his last game as a Chelsea player are increasing with interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The Blues are reportedly seeking £120m and if so, perhaps his exit from Stamford Bridge is less likely to be feared at first.
Either way, the recruitment team and Alonso will be doing their due diligence on potential midfield players and a few who have already stood out. Last week, it was reported that Chelsea have discussed Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes with Newcastle United.
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Todd Boehly has spent big in recent years.
However, also on their radar are Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
That according to Dean Jones reporting Flash Score revealed that Wharton has been tested many times by Chelsea throughout the season and that he is one of the strongest contenders for his signature.
In the case of Anderson, it has been reported that Chelsea have explored the idea of plying the England international away from the City Ground. Sadly, like many nurses, they seem to have given up on the possibility of him heading to Manchester City.
Why Anderson could be Chelsea’s new Caicedo
Not many great things will happen during Boehly’s tenure but the signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Caicedo from Brighton will go down as a roaring success story.
It looks like they are about to sign for Liverpool, the west Londoners swooped in and signed him for around £115m. Until last summer when Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) moved to Anfield, he was the most expensive player in Premier League history.
While Caicedo may not be eye-catching as a big-money front man, he’s certainly worth the cost. He has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the country, ranking in the top 2% of similar players in Europe’s top five leagues this season for attacking and blocking per 90 minutes. He did a 4.67 in the 90.
In the Premier League at this stage, no midfielder in Bridgen has made more than 2.79 tackles per 90 while also winning 5.04 duels per 90, the most in the team.
|
Most duels won – Chelsea (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Duels won 90 |
|
1. Moises Caicedo |
5.04 |
|
2. Andrey Santos |
4.37 |
|
3. Joao Pedro |
4.11 |
|
4. Cole Palmer |
3.85 |
|
5. Reece James |
3.72 |
|
6. Alejandro Garnacho |
3.69 |
As a result, Anderson has a lot to live up to. However, if he costs around £100m somewhere, as Caicedo was at Brighton, it will mark a similar move.
According to England manager Thomas Tuchel, he is “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” and he has achieved that while playing for a central club. Caicedo enjoyed similar fame during his time with the Seagulls.
What makes him so special? Well, the Forest star may not do many tackles per 90 minutes, completing 2.38 per 90, he is a machine in the middle of the park.
Like Chelsea’s Ecuardorian master, Anderson is dogged and aggressive. He works extremely hard and goes through an absurd amount of defensive tackles per game. Only Manuel Ugarte (14.5) has completed more defensive contributions per game than the Englishman (13.9) in the Premier League this season.
What sets the 23-year-old apart from his peers is the way he plays. Like Caicedo, he can make an impact in the final third. The Forest star scored four goals and provided five assists as Forest narrowly avoided relegation. In comparison, Caicedo managed three goals and a solo assist.
According to their role, they are different. Chelsea’s current midfielder stays a bit deeper while Anderson is more of a box-to-box player. That means they can thrive together.
Can you imagine that? The opposition’s attack would have been easily nullified if Alonso’s pivot had been formed by these two aggressive midfielders.
He’s like prime Mata: Alonso makes it his goal to sign Chelsea’s £87m star
Alonso made it his mission to bring the former player to Chelsea.
