Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reportedly contacted Kylian Mbappe for transfer advice on a potential midfield signing before the summer window closed. According to the Daily Mirror, Alonso sought the Real Madrid star's opinion on his France international teammate Manu Kone, who plays for Roma.
Alonso, preparing for his first season at Stamford Bridge, oversaw thirteen new arrivals this summer. Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Emi Martinez, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Honest Anahor, Valentin Barco, Geovany Quenda, Pep Chavarria, Dastan Satpayev, Harrison Bettoni and Alfie Osborne all joined the club. The search for midfield reinforcement intensified after Enzo Fernandez's £125million departure to Manchester City.
Why did Alonso call Mbappe about Kone?
Foot Mercato claimed that Alonso reached out to Mbappe regarding a potential deal for Roma's Manu Kone. The Chelsea boss was understood to be 'convinced' that the 25-year-old midfielder represented a perfect option for his squad. Mbappe, who plays alongside Kone for the French national team, was reported to have praised his compatriot during the conversation.
Alonso then approached Kone directly about a move to West London. The France international had also been linked with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool during the summer. Despite this reported interest from multiple English clubs, Kone ultimately remained with Roma past the September transfer deadline.
What did Roma say about the Chelsea links?
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini firmly denied that Chelsea submitted any official offer for his player. "Oh no, that's a credit they've unfairly attributed to me," Gasperini said. He added specific detail about the timeline, stating, "Until the Lecce match, I hadn't heard anything about Kone; after that, there wouldn't have been time for negotiations."
This leaves the reported chain of contact-from Alonso to Mbappe to Kone-without a formal concluding bid from the Chelsea hierarchy. The club had been strongly tipped to bring in a new midfielder following Fernandez's exit, with Monaco's Lamine Camara also a target on deadline day before that deal fell through.
How does this fit with Chelsea's current season?
The speculation around midfield reinforcements comes as Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League table. Alonso's side has taken six points from their opening two matches, with a perfect record of two wins. They have scored seven goals and conceded five, giving them a +2 goal difference early in the campaign.
Chelsea are currently three points behind league leaders Manchester City. The team's next challenge is a home fixture against Hull City on September 12th. Hull currently sit second in the table, making it a significant early-season test. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's fixtures and standings pages.
What does the midfield look like now?
With Kone staying at Roma and the Camara deal collapsing, Alonso will rely on his summer arrivals and existing squad options. The thirteen new signings have bolstered various positions, but the central midfield area saw a major departure in Fernandez. The senior squad depth will be tested throughout a long season competing on multiple fronts.
Supporters can view the full roster and player details on the official squad page. Chelsea's next match at Stamford Bridge against high-flying Hull City is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026.
