Former Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso could stage some valuable reunions with his old players if he takes over at Chelsea(Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Chelsea stand to benefit from Xabi Alonso’s considerable football connections in the event he were to take over at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are once again without a long-term coach after firing Liam Rosenior last month and Alonso is available after he left Real Madrid in January.
The Athletic has reported decision-makers in west London are already exploring a deal to bring Alonso on board as Chelsea’s new head coach. Liverpool legend Alonso is understood to be receptive to the idea, though Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is another strong contender for the job.
The former Bayer Leverkusen boss and Bundesliga-winning coach would be hoping to revive his own career in the capital. However, his appointment could lead to some fortunate advantages in the transfer market with some potential reunions afoot this summer.
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Aurelien Tchouameni
Recent developments at the Bernabeu could mean Aurelien Tchouameni is soon made available for transfer. The Frenchman was linked with Chelsea years before his bust-up with Real captain Federico Valverde in training, which ended with the Uruguayan being sent to hospital.
Each player was fined a record breaking €500,000 (£434,000) for their role in muddying the Real name. And in the event Los Blancos decide to cash in on one of the stars in order to resolve the matter, it stands to reason skipper Valverde will be prioritised to remain in Madrid.
Central midfield isn’t necessarily the highest priority for Chelsea after a corps of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos emerged as a capable trio in recent months. However, with Fernandez hinting at a potential split in March and Romeo Lavia’s well-documented injury struggles, adding one more quality name to the engine room seems a sensible idea.
The fact Tchouameni has just two years left on his contract combined with his recent controversy could lend itself to Chelsea signing the player on a reduced fee. The 26-year-old has been heavily favoured in Real’s midfield under both Alonso and successor Alvaro Arbeloa, suggesting the Blues could be getting their hands on a bargain star if he is sacrificed this summer.
Arda Guler
Alonso was clearly a major fan of Arda Guler from their time together in Madrid(Image: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
One hallmark of the Todd Boehly era at Chelsea has been the acquisition of young, creative talents in attack. The Blues haven’t necessarily needed all of those brought into the fold but Arda Guler has a higher promise of paying off than most.
The Turkey international is one asset Alonso would likely love to reunite with, too, based on his praise of the 21-year-old. The coach promoted Guler in a range of roles immediately after arriving in Madrid and prioritised fitting him into any team, whether that be as a No. 10, on either wing or in central midfield.
“With his quality, he’s a mix between [Mesut] Ozil and Guti,” said Alonso of the youngster in October, comparing him to two of his old Real team-mates. “Guti had that vision and finesse to link play or operate closer to goal and with Mesut I enjoyed football so much. Arda has that something special — that natural talent you can’t teach.”
In that sense, Guler is similar to Cole Palmer: A natural talent one simply folds into a line-up wherever he can fit, more often than not making his presence felt. That kind of versatility could prove invaluable given Chelsea felt Palmer’s absence so plainly when he was injured at times this term, providing vital competition in attacking midfield and out wide.
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David Alaba
Chelsea’s defence simply hasn’t looked the same since Thiago Silva departed the club in 2024. In similar fashion, David Alaba could be the wizened head needed to whip some of the young, promising names at the back into shape this summer.
The Austrian, who turns 34 in June, is out of contract that same month and will be available on a free transfer. And although injuries curtailed his involvement in recent seasons, there may still be value to be gleaned from his signature if he can stay fit.
Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr and others would stand to benefit greatly from Alaba’s nous in defence. Not to mention it would be of major value if the veteran could help certain stars improve their disciplinary record and distribute some of his knowledge in how to remain calm under pressure.
Gonzalo Garcia
Gonzalo Garcia is reportedly set to be sold by Real Madrid this summer(Image: Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
A breakthrough campaign in Madrid could nonetheless end with Gonzalo Garcia leaving Real this summer. Reports indicate Los Blancos are eager to capitalise on the player’s hype and cash in given he’s unlikely to force his way past Kylian Mbappe for the main striker berth.
It just so happens Garcia scored the first goal of the Alonso era at Real during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup. The 22-year-old has gone on to net six times and record three assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, though only 13 of those were starts.
The Liam Delap experiment hasn’t worked out at Stamford Bridge thus far following an underwhelming first term in west London. And aside from Joao Pedro, who arguably thrives more playing off a central striker, Chelsea are somewhat light on options up front.
Similar to Julian Alvarez’s move away from Manchester City after finding Erling Haaland was impassable, Garcia could leave Real to gain more control of his playing time. And Chelsea could be the lucky beneficiaries in signing a young talent who has demonstrated elite finishing at times over the past year.