Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea overhaul could see £80m raid on Premier League rival, new centre-back and Reece James role switch

Xabi Alonso being named Chelsea manager is a message to the players and fans alike.

The key word being ‘manager’ rather than ‘head coach’.

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Each of his BlueCo predecessors were handed the latter title, but Alonso is different from the outset as he was officially confirmed by Chelsea on Sunday.

Perhaps it is a message to the players who have been quick to undermine recent bosses.

Liam Rosenior was brutally labelled the ‘substitute teacher’ and Estevao joked he was surprised he had ever been a professional footballer.

Stars like Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella have openly talked about wanting to join other clubs.

Alonso has the pedigree as both a player and manager to command respect in a difficult Stamford Bridge dressing room.

He won everything as a player for club and country – from a World Cup to the Champions League and multiple league titles.

Even though things did not work out at Real Madrid, he was lauded for delivering the Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen in a remarkable unbeaten domestic season.

So talkSPORT has taken a look at what could happen at Chelsea this summer.

Who could leave Chelsea?

Despite BlueCo splashing out more than £1billion since taking over Chelsea, the squad is in need of major surgery.

A left-winger is looking like a must with the Blues already open to selling Alejandro Garnacho just one season after his move from Manchester United.

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Fernandez has flirted with a transfer to Real Madrid, though the Spanish giants are likely to target Manchester City’s Rodri first.

City could then turn to the Chelsea man to replace their midfield enforcer.

Players already joining

Geovany Quenda will head to Stamford Bridge from Sporting Lisbon this summer for £44m.

The 19-year-old could solve Chelsea’s left-wing problems, but could equally play as a left-wing back in Alonso’s system.

Striker Emmanuel Emegha will also join from fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg, but Joao Pedro is still the man to lead the line.

Morgan Rogers interest

Rogers to Chelsea is still one to watch this summer, but the Blues could face competition from elsewhere.

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Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all interested in the Aston Villa star, who could go for around £80m.

Villa could sell even with securing Champions League football in order to comply with financial rules.

Established centre-back

The middle of defence continues to be a problem for successive Chelsea managers and is something they want to address in the summer.

The Blues wanted Jeremy Jacquet, before Liverpool beat them to the signing in January. He will join the Anfield club in the summer.

There is historic interest in Marcos Senesi, but as it stands he is likely to head to Tottenham Hotspur if they avoid Premier League relegation. 

Como’s Jacobo Ramon is one to watch, the 21-year-old centre-back has pedigree having previously been at the Real Madrid academy.

Goalkeeper verdict

Robert Sanchez is the current No.1, but will have Mike Penders returning from Strasbourg this summer to compete with him.

Alonso is understood to make an assessment on who will be No.1 when he arrives.

There is hope that Penders could have a similar impact that Senne Lammens has had at Man United.

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Alonso’s formation

Alonso has favoured a back three over his coaching career, but did revert to a back four on occasion.

A back three could see Reece James play as the overlapping wing-back on the right or as one of three centre-backs that inverts into midfield.

Joao Pedro will still lead the line with Cole Palmer in the No.10 role, but could be forced out wide if Rogers signs.

Alonso is likely to play with a double pivot that could see Enzo Fernandez drop deeper into a similar No.6 role he played at Benfica.