A Chelsea player requests to leave the club just days after Xabi Alonso was appointed.
Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is already planning how to make his mark during the summer transfer window. He’s been named the permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior, who had taken over from Enzo Maresca earlier in 2026.
Alonso joins Chelsea just months after leaving Real Madrid. Although his time at the Bernabeu didn’t go as hoped, his arrival is seen as a big win for BlueCo and the club.
He earned the Real Madrid job thanks to an impressive 2023-24 season coaching Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season and a domestic double, though they fell to Atalanta in the Europa League final. Alonso left Madrid in January, when the team was four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
Now, as June moves into July, Alonso is gearing up for the usual busy summer transfer window at Chelsea. Without European football next season, it will be interesting to watch how the squad changes, including who might leave and which new players will join.
One player likely to move on is goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, according to BBC Sport. He’s eager to leave due to limited game time. Under Enzo Maresca, Jorgensen mainly sat behind Robert Sanchez and had a mixed role under Liam Rosenior.
His lack of regular play is why he wants out, and Chelsea seem open to a sale after blocking his January departure. Last window, Besiktas, Genoa, and Porto showed interest, and some Premier League clubs might join the mix.
Jorgensen, who joined from Villarreal in 2024, hasn’t secured a starting spot. He played regularly in the Conference League his first season but only made six Premier League appearances in each of the past two seasons. He still has five years left on his contract.
Chelsea also have young goalie Mike Penders, 20, who spent last season on loan at their partner club Strasbourg. Chelsea might still look to sign another goalkeeper to help Strasbourg aim for European qualification next season.