What Chelsea Could Look Like Under Xabi Alonso Without Spending a Penny
Despite rumours surrounding a long managerial shortlist following the hasty exit of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have acted quickly to secure the services of former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. Although Alonso, who won the Bundesliga unbeaten with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 season, is relatively junior within the world of football management, he has carved out a distinctive style of play.
The Spaniard has favoured a 3‑4‑2‑1 formation and emphasised high‑possession, aggressive, attacking football, qualities that have been on display in Madrid and Leverkusen. Whilst Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo, will likely look to back their new man in the transfer window, here’s how Alonso’s Chelsea could line up without needing to spend a penny.
GK: Mike Penders
Whilst Robert Sánchez currently operates as Chelsea’s number one, there has been much discussion as to whether the Spaniard deserves to hold onto his position following a season of unreliable performances. Despite Filipe Jørgensen’s inability to seize on Sánchez’s inconsistency, Chelsea appear to have a readymade replacement in the form of Mike Penders. Penders, who Chelsea purchased from Genk in 2024, spent last season on loan at sister club Strasbourg, helping them to an 8th‑place finish in Ligue 1 whilst racking up eight clean sheets.
Despite only being 20, Penders has impressed Rudi Garcia enough to earn a place in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad. The Belgian looks an ideal fit for Alonso as, alongside his stellar shot‑stopping, he offers the passing ability required for Alonso’s ball‑dominant build‑up play, posting an 86.1% pass completion rate across the 2025/26 league season, dwarfing Sánchez’s 66.8%. Trusting a freshly turned 21‑year‑old in goal would be a bold call, but it may be exactly the type of decision needed to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around.
RCB: Josh Acheampong
Despite continuously spending big on defensive reinforcements, Chelsea are yet to establish a settled defensive unit under BlueCo’s ownership with the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana all splitting meaningful minutes at centre‑back. However, instead of another expensive signing, Chelsea should look to Cobham, their prestigious academy, for Alonso’s ideal right centre‑back.
Across his 16 appearances in the 2025/26 season, Josh Acheampong has shown significant promise, averaging 3.56 recoveries, 1.50 interceptions and 1.50 tackles per 90. Combined with his 92.2% pass completion rate, Acheampong profiles perfectly for the right side of Alonso’s defence, offering both defensive reliability and the ball security required for Alonso’s progressive passing triangles. Acheampong also serves a political purpose. As one of Cobham’s top prospects, Chelsea fans are clamouring to see him given an opportunity. Starting him could benefit Alonso both on and off the pitch.
CB: Levi Colwill
On the comeback trail from a serious ACL injury, the 2026/27 season looks set to define Levi Colwill’s Chelsea career. Having already captained Chelsea by just 23, the England international, who has been a Blue since the U9s, represents a potential leader in Chelsea’s young defence. His leadership, alongside his 6ft 2in frame, makes him ideal for the central role Jonathan Tah occupied in Alonso’s invincible Leverkusen side.
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Much like Acheampong, Colwill is a reliable passer, averaging 89.7% pass accuracy and 66.5 passes per 90 across the 2024/25 Premier League season. His blend of progressive passing, defensive quality and rare Premier League experience makes him tailor‑made for Alonso.
LCB: Jorrel Hato
As Ajax’s youngest ever captain in a European match, big things were expected from Jorrel Hato when he joined Chelsea for £35,000,000 in the summer of 2025. However, the Dutch international has flattered to deceive in his debut season, starting only 11 Premier League matches.
Nevertheless, his comfort at both left‑back and centre‑back gives Alonso the athleticism required on the left side of a high defensive line, helping prevent counterattacks from pace‑heavy Premier League sides. Hato is also an assured defender having, in limited minutes, averaged 7.93 defensive actions per 90 this season. Working together could give Hato the platform to kickstart his Chelsea career, while offering Alonso the chance to showcase the developmental skills that he honed while manager of Real Sociedad B.
RWB: Geovany Quenda
Having contributed to 22 goals over the last two seasons for Sporting CP, 19‑year‑old Geovany Quenda has the attacking quality to replicate Jeremie Frimpong’s success as one of Alonso’s marauding wing‑backs. Quenda offers aggression and forward thrust, averaging 3.40 defensive actions and 1.96 chances created per 90 across the 2025/26 Liga Portugal season, aligning him with Alonso’s attacking and defensive requirements.
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Quenda, who broke through at right-wing-back under Rúben Amorim, appears to have all the attributes to become a top‑level wing‑back. However, if he struggles to settle, Alonso could call upon Malo Gusto. With over 100 Chelsea appearances, Gusto, who is himself only 23, offers a level of Premier League experience that most of the defence lacks. Whilst Gusto is a reliable option, Alonso will need bold calls to rehabilitate Chelsea after Liam Rosenior’s poor stint. For that reason, Quenda should be given the opportunity.
LWB: Marc Cucurella
A marauding wing‑back, La Masia‑trained, and proficient going forward. This description fits both Álex Grimaldo, Alonso’s former left-wing-back, and Chelsea’s £55,000,000 man Marc Cucurella. Given Grimaldo’s success under Alonso, with the Spaniard contributing to 23 goals in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, Cucurella seems destined to thrive. In addition to this, as one of Chelsea’s most experienced players, the 28‑year‑old offers big‑game experience that the squad sorely lacks.
Within Alonso’s aggressive attacking system, wing‑backs occupy high and wide spaces. Cucurella’s ability to create chances, averaging 1.34 per 90, alongside his defensive solidity, completing 6.18 defensive contributions per 90, makes him a perfect fit. His proficiency in the dark arts, completing the second‑most fouls for Chelsea in 2025/26, may also help prevent Alonso from being exploited by counter attacks. Cucurella seems nailed on for a successful spell under Alonso, the only question is whether he wants to stay.
CM: Moisés Caicedo
As an elite box‑to‑box midfielder who, much like Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios, plays with controlled aggression, Moisés Caicedo should be a guaranteed starter under Alonso. The Ecuadorian tops the Chelsea squad for defensive contributions, tackles, interceptions and fouls across the 2025/26 season. For any manager, Caicedo is a dream; for Alonso, he is particularly well‑suited.
Despite occasional discipline concerns, Caicedo is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. Having carried the weight of a nine‑figure fee, he has proved he can handle pressure. Whether he continues to develop or has reached his peak, Caicedo will likely be an immovable presence in Chelsea’s midfield for years to come.
CM: Reece James
While Caicedo provides industry, Reece James offers the technical quality to break down defences. Naturally a right‑back and capable of playing centre‑back, James could serve as a utility option for Alonso, but his passing ability, with an 88.9% completion rate, and creativity, creating 1.26 chances per 90, make him a strong fit for Alonso’s ball‑dominant midfield.
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Although Enzo Fernández could also play here when Alonso operates with a more attacking setup, James provides defensive security that will be particularly valuable while the squad adapts to Alonso’s system. As Chelsea captain since 2023, James also brings leadership reminiscent of Xhaka’s role at Leverkusen. However injury concerns persist, with James failing to make 30 league appearances since 2020/21. Despite his injury concerns, whether in midfield or defence, James looks likely to become a Stamford Bridge legend.
AM: Cole Palmer
As Chelsea’s undisputed talisman, Cole Palmer is almost certain to start under Alonso. The former Manchester City man offers positional fluidity and clinical finishing reminiscent of Florian Wirtz, making him ideal for one of the two floating No.10 roles. Despite a quieter 2025/26 season, he has still scored nine league goals and averaged 1.10 shots on target per 90.
Palmer’s defensive output is often overlooked. He has won possession 1.20 times per 90 this season, the highest in the Chelsea squad and higher than Wirtz’s 1.36 during Alonso’s title‑winning campaign. This makes Palmer a reliable two‑way contributor. Even if his form dips, Alonso will surely ensure Palmer’s iconic cold celebration remains a regular sight at Stamford Bridge.
AM: Enzo Fernández
A seemingly wantaway star, Enzo Fernández has faced criticism since his 2023 move to Stamford Bridge. However, the World Cup winner has been a consistent performer in royal blue. Although often viewed as a deeper midfielder, Fernández has increasingly excelled as a No.10. His ten league goals and 1.96 chances created per 90 underline his attacking value.
If Alonso opts to use Fernández deeper, João Pedro becomes an ideal candidate for the second No.10 role. Pedro, primarily a striker, offers a level of physicality indispensable in today’s Premier League. With 37 goals and 15 assists across his Premier League career, he is a player Alonso can trust to both finish and create. Whether he utilises Fernandez or Pedro, Alonso has a depth of options that means that he can be sure his two floating tens will be effective across various tactical approaches and game states.
ST: João Pedro
As previously explored, João Pedro is a proven Premier League goalscorer whose ability to receive the ball to feet and run the channels makes him a tactically flexible option for Alonso. His size and strength, standing at 6ft 1in, aligns with Alonso’s preference for physically imposing strikers, as seen with Victor Boniface, who stands at 6ft 3in, and Patrik Schick, who stands at 6ft 1in.
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If Alonso uses Pedro as a No.10 then new signing Emmanuel Emegha becomes the natural option up front. Emegha, who is arriving from Strasbourg in the summer, scored four goals in 10 Ligue 1 games across the 2025/26 season and stands at a colossal 6ft 5in. Averaging 1.02 headed efforts per 90, he offers the aerial presence that Alonso has previously utilised to great effect. Whether Alonso opts for Pedro, takes a risk on Emegha, or welcomes back Nicolas Jackson, he is spoilt for choice at striker.
Conclusion
While Chelsea’s squad remains raw, Alonso’s system offers a clear framework for development. With the right blend of youth, physicality and technical quality, this group could finally find the tactical identity that has eluded them since the start of the BlueCo era.
All statistics are up to date as of 22/05/2026 and are sourced from publicly available league data.
By: Benjamin Adams / @False9Files_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images