Alonso’s Influence on Recruitment

Xabi Alonso, appointed manager in May, voiced a need for greater maturity in the dressing room during his interview process. While he agreed with the club’s diagnosis, sources confirm he did not single-handedly run the summer’s recruitment. Instead, the club operated as a partnership, with sporting directors, owners, and scouts all contributing to decisions. A newly established department now focuses on character checks, calling coaches, kit-men, and physios to build a comprehensive profile of each target.

Key Signings

Chelsea’s summer was defined by a “ready-made” strategy, targeting proven Premier League performers. Danny Welbeck, 35, joined from Brighton for an undisclosed fee after the club learned he might leave the club. Welbeck, who scored 13 Premier League goals last season, was signed alongside 36-year-old Jordan Henderson. The club also secured Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117 million, Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for £52 million, Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano for £16.3 million, and Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £43 million. These signings met the club’s criteria and passed the background checks.

Training and Recruitment Strategy

With a squad of 35 players, Alonso split training into two groups: the main squad and a secondary group considered surplus. The club’s sporting directors flew between Sydney, London, and Hong Kong to cover all time zones and maintain a global scouting network. The “two-tier” training approach was designed to maximise playing time for experienced signings while integrating them with the younger core.

Other Highlights

Alonso also vouched for former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, 33, during a bid that was rejected by Sunderland for £8 million, described by the club as “insulting.” A second offer, worth less than £15 million, was later made after Xhaka reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland. Romeo Lavia, signed from Southampton in 2023, has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in a competitive match; his most league appearances in a season were 16 in 2024-25. Joao Pedro emerged as the standout performer in pre-season, scoring eight goals in eight games and earning the No 9 shirt.

The most league appearances Romeo Lavia has managed in a season was 16 in 2024-25.