Xabi Alonso has already sanctioned four player exits at Chelsea, with left-back Marc Cucurella joining Real Madrid in a £17.5m profit-making deal, as the new manager reshapes his squad. The 44-year-old Spaniard, who took charge on July 1 on a four-year contract, has overseen a swift transformation after a turbulent campaign that saw three managers last season.
Cucurella, a standout performer under predecessor Enzo Maresca, saw his form dip under Liam Rosenior and publicly criticised the club’s managerial instability in March. Despite expressing excitement about playing under fellow countryman Alonso, he opted to return to Spain after five years in the UK, a move that strengthens Chelsea’s financial position as they remain without a front-of-shirt sponsor and have not qualified for European competition.
“Xabi Alonso has approved four player exits including Cucurella, while Morgan Rogers joins for £117m to reunite with friend Cole Palmer.”
The departures – all approved by Alonso – free up space for a wave of high-profile arrivals. The most notable is attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, who joined from Aston Villa for £117m. Rogers, 22, is close friends with Cole Palmer, and the pair have long dreamed of playing together. “We’ve been speaking about this for a while – that we would always love to play together,” Rogers said. “He’s been non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait. That’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends.”
Alonso also signed 19-year-old winger Geovany Quenda for £40m and 21-year-old defender Marco Palestra for £47m, with further arrivals and departures expected before the window closes. The club are also weighing a move for Kerim Alajbegovic as they overhaul their wide options, and have booked a medical for Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix in a £52m deal.
Rogers flourished under Unai Emery at Villa, using his athleticism and direct running in a system that attacks space at pace. Alonso, by contrast, seeks to dominate possession and set up attacks in the opponent’s half – a different approach that will test whether Rogers can adapt. For now, the midfielder is focused on reuniting with Palmer. “He’s been non-stop ringing my phone, texting me,” Rogers repeated. With over a month left in the transfer window, Alonso’s rebuild is far from complete.