Takes over on July 1 

©TM/IMAGO

Chelsea may have faced disappointment in this weekend’s FA Cup final, as the Blues lost 1-0 to Manchester City at Wembley, but many of the Chelsea faithful will have been perked up by the other big news coming from the club. This Sunday, Chelsea announced that Xabi Alonso would be the club’s next permanent manager, signing a four-year deal and taking charge on July 1.

Alonso is one of the most sought-after managers in the game, after heroically breaking Bayern Munich’s monopoly of the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the title unbeaten. Alonso took the Real Madrid job last summer, but lasted just six months in the Santiago Bernábeu cauldron at the club he also represented as a player. However, results, harmony and performances have all declined since his exit, so his name remained somewhat untarnished.

Many felt Alonso’s next job may have been at his former club Liverpool, but Chelsea have lured him to Stamford Bridge. In a club statement, Alonso said, “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club. There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”

Chelsea have a somewhat disjointed squad but one full of young talented player, and if he can get them to gel, perhaps Alonso can successfully manage what some are labelling ‘the impossible job’ under the Blues’ current ownership model. Many expect Alonso could turn to his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, and here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out five Chelsea players who could thrive under Alonso next season.

Five Chelsea players who could thrive under Xabi Alonso

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer’s first season at Stamford Bridge was sensational – nobody could have predicted such an impact. However, this season performances and output have seriously dropped; Palmer has scored just four non-penalty goals in the Premier League this season. He has struggled with injuries, consistency and finding a clear position. However, if Alonso does opt to play 3-4-2-1, Palmer could be perfectly suited to playing in the ‘right 10’ position, and maybe we will start to see the best of the Englishman once again. The Blues have have to convince him to stay nonetheless with Champions League football extremely unlikely.

Moisés Caicedo

Now, to be fair, Moisés Caicedo has had a good season this term. The Ecuadorian was fantastic in the first half of the campaign, but performances have dipped since the turn of the year. Nevertheless, he is one of the best central midfielders in the league, and his energy and tenacity could make the 24 year old perfectly suited to being one of the two central midfielders in a flat four under Alonso. He is a manager’s dream in that formation.

Geovany Quenda

One new Chelsea signing already confirmed for this summer is that of young Sporting wide player Geovany Quenda. The pacey Portuguese teenager will join up with his new teammates upon the completion of his €51 million transfer, and he could potentially be the perfect option to play at right-wing-back. His overlapping runs and energy could be the ideal antidote to allow Palmer to drift inside and gain space. However, it does usually take time to adapt to the Premier League and injuries have severely hampered Quenda’s 2025/26 campaign.

Jorrel Hato

Jorrel Hato has endured an underwhelming first season in the Premier League. He has only made 10 Premier League starts and even those have been split between left-back and centre-back. However, at left centre-back in a back three, we may see Hato begin to thrive in a Chelsea shirt. His Athleticism, comfortability on the ball, and ability to defend open one-v-one situations could make him a key player under Alonso.

Estêvão

Brazilian teenager Estêvão looks to be a superstar in the making, but we are still waiting for him to really go pop. He has shown glimpses of it without doubt, but just two goals and two assists in the Premier League is nothing much to write home about. Next season, could be the one where he really does add to the unquestionable ability he possesses, but fitting both Estêvão and Palmer into the same team may be tricky. Nevertheless, a front three of João Pedro, Estêvão and Palmer, with each of them rotating, could have the Blues faithful purring.