Chelsea have begun the Xabi Alonso era by confirming that four academy products will leave Stamford Bridge when their contracts expire on June 30. The club’s retained list, published on Wednesday morning, confirmed the departures of Jimi Tauriainen, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Richard Olise and Brodi Hughes — none of whom will be part of the new manager’s plans.
Tauriainen, a Finnish youngster who arrived in 2020, had a brief taste of senior football. He made his first-team debut in the FA Cup fifth round against Leeds United in 2024 and later appeared as a late substitute against Tottenham in the Premier League. Despite that, Chelsea opted against offering him fresh terms. Rak-Sakyi, an academy member since the age of eight, goes the other way with four senior appearances to his name, including a contribution to the club’s Conference League title under Enzo Maresca in the 2024/25 season.
“Chelsea release four academy players as Xabi Alonso prepares to take over as manager.”
Olise, the younger brother of Bayern Munich winger and former Chelsea academy prospect Michael, leaves after more than a decade at Cobham without ever featuring for the first team. Hughes, similarly, departs without a senior appearance. The only reprieve among the academy ranks came for striker Ronnie Stutter, who will remain on a month-to-month deal.
The club’s official statement read: “We thank all our departing players for their contributions during their time with the Blues and wish them well for the next chapter in their careers.” All four exits clear the decks for Alonso, who this summer takes over a side he described as “one of the biggest clubs in world football”. The Spaniard said: “It fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club. From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest…”