Xabi Alonso is ready to bring out Chelsea’s 6ft 7in giant who hasn’t played a game for the team yet.

Xabi Alonso is ready to bring out Chelsea’s 6ft 7in giant who hasn’t played a game for the team yet.

Xabi Alonso is reportedly ready to give a Chelsea star who hasn’t played for the senior team yet a chance to join the first team squad, which could fix one of the club’s big problems.

After a tough end to the 2025/26 season, Chelsea fans have some good news—Alonso has been announced as the new manager. Even though there were talks about him possibly replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool, the Spanish coach signed a four-year deal with Chelsea starting in July. This gives him the summer to get his team ready for next season.

Alonso said, “From talking with the owners and sports leaders, it’s clear we all want the same thing. We want to build a team that can compete at the top and win trophies. There is great talent here, and it’s an honor to lead this club. Now, the focus is on working hard, creating the right team culture, and winning trophies.”

It looks like the former Real Madrid boss won’t waste any time. He’s reportedly ready to bring back 6ft 7in goalkeeper Mike Penders to the Chelsea squad. According to Belgian sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri on Sky Sports Switzerland, Penders will return after a loan at Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg.

Chelsea has been impressed with Penders’ performances and believes he could be the team’s future number one goalkeeper. This season, Penders played in 33 out of Strasbourg’s 34 Ligue 1 games and kept eight clean sheets.

The 20-year-old will start as Chelsea’s second-choice keeper, with plans to give him experience in cup games before making him number one down the line.

Of course, bringing Penders back raises questions about Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen’s places in the team. There are also reports that Chelsea might go after Sunderland’s keeper Robin Roefs. If that happens, one of Sanchez or Jorgensen might leave this summer.

The Sun says both Chelsea and Liverpool like Roefs, who has helped Sunderland make a strong return to the Premier League. Roefs kept 10 clean sheets in 33 games after joining Sunderland last July for £9m from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen.

If Chelsea want him, the transfer fee could be around £50m, which would be a huge profit for Sunderland, helping them make up for losing their young goalkeeper star.