As Chelsea fans dey breathe after a miserable 2025/26 season wey see dem finish 10th for Premier League, new manager Xabi Alonso don begin plan for big shake-up. The Spanish gaffer, wey go take over on July 1, go face task of transforming squad wey cost club millions but produce little joy.
According to multiple reports, Chelsea dey ready to sell several players wey dem sign last summer for total fee of £277million. Among those wey fit leave na Alejandro Garnacho, wey join from Manchester United for £40million but only manage 14 Premier League starts and one goal. The 21-year-old Argentine winger fail to impress under Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and Calum McFarlane, and now Alonso dey willing to listen to offers.
Another player wey dem dey shop na Liam Delap, the former Manchester City striker wey join Chelsea but suffer major injury and struggle for impact. Even though Delap dey train well, club analysts believe dem misprofile am—he thrive for transition but face low-block defences for Chelsea. Unless he find form for pre-season, dem go cash in.
Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes, analysts for football.london, give their verdict on each of the eight summer signings. For Garnacho, both agree say sell am. Bobby say Garnacho get more chance than Jamie Gittens but still no produce, so time to move am. Jake add say while Garnacho suffer unfair scrutiny, Chelsea need to sell while he still get value, because he no be player Alonso fit rely on week in, week out.
For Jamie Gittens, wey join from Borussia Dortmund, opinion split. Bobby say he deserve another season, even though he record only over 1000 minutes and poor performance. Jake agree say Gittens never get chance to build momentum, so Alonso should give am opportunity to impress as understudy for world-class left-winger.
Joao Pedro, the Brazilian striker wey join for £60million, win high praise. Bobby call am bargain, say his impact for Stamford Bridge impressive, and he dey excited to see what Alonso fit get from am. Jake say Joao Pedro should be first name for teamsheet next season, and club must do everything to keep am.
Another Brazilian, Estevao, also impress despite injury. The 19-year-old winger show great promise but suffer grade four hamstring issue wey cut short his season. Both analysts say keep am, with Jake noting he prove he fit lock horns with best, but injury deny am momentum.
For Liam Delap, both say sell am. Bobby say with arrival of Emmanuel Emegha and others, Delap no get space, and even though he want fight for place, better to cash in. Jake say Delap struggle after injury and misprofile, so unless he find feet for pre-season, Chelsea should sell—though he admit Delap get great potential.
For Malang Sarr, wey return from loan in January, Bobby say mistake to bring am back because e hamper development. He suggest loan again. Jake, however, say Sarr fit be key player for Alonso, despite mishandling, and recommend keep am.
Jorrel Hato, the Dutch defender, surprise many with excellent second half of season. Bobby say his emergence make fans no too worry about other departures. Jake agree say Hato hardly play under Maresca but grow after Italian step down, become key for backline. Both say keep am.
For Dario Essugo, the Portuguese midfielder, Bobby say difficult first season with injuries, and with Chelsea targeting another central midfielder, minutes fit reduce. He suggest loan. Jake say keep am because e hard to judge am after injury, and he fit become superstar.
Other players wey fit leave include Nicolas Jackson, wey dey return from loan but deemed surplus after Joao Pedro arrival, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, and Axel Disasi. Chelsea also go welcome Sporting Lisbon‘s Geovany Quenda, wey dem sign in March 2025, and Alonso fit want more arrivals. The club go try retain Enzo Fernandez despite midfielder talk up move to Real Madrid.
With Alonso now at helm, Chelsea fans hope say this clear-out go bring better times. But as we know for football, time go tell.
