Chelsea face Sunderland on Sunday as they bring the curtain down on an anti climactic and ultimately disappointing season.
Yet, despite the gloom, a genuine glow of optimism is peeking over the horizon at Stamford Bridge following the appointment of Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard officially takes the reins on July 1. His task? Monumental. Injecting identity and winning culture into a dressing room starved of direction under BlueCo.
Alonso will be given a sizeable transfer war chest. He’ll also wield greater authority over recruitment than any of his recent predecessors.
Change is afoot. Chelsea expect to trim the squad to make room for yet another lavish spending spree.
Ahead of Sunday’s finale, here are seven stars who could be making their final appearances for the club.
Enzo Fernandez
Much has been made of the persistent speculation surrounding Fernandez’s future. Reports of a blockbuster move to Real Madrid have circulated for well over a year. The Argentine added fuel to the fire in March, speaking openly about his affection for the Spanish capital.
With Jose Mourinho expected to take charge at the Bernabeu this summer, interest won’t die down.
Chelsea have a strong hand. Fernandez has five years left on his contract. Having paid £106m to sign him, they’ll demand a similarly gargantuan fee. Real Madrid aren’t the financial colossus they once were. But history tells that when Florentino Perez wants a player, he usually gets him.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella has come on in leaps and bounds, establishing himself as one of Europe’s best left backs after a rocky start. Chelsea have no intention of selling. But growing interest from Spain could complicate matters.
Barcelona are keen. The 27 year old spent several years in their academy. In March, he admitted it would be “hard to turn down” an offer to return though later clarified he was “very happy” at Chelsea.
With Alonso now on board, the Blues have an ace in the hole. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss loves attacking, high intensity full backs. But reported interest in resigning Newcastle’s Lewis Hall suggests planning for life after Cucurella is already underway.
Liam Delap
It’s been a torrid season for Delap, the umpteenth casualty of Chelsea’s long running No. 9 curse. Injuries have hampered him. When fit, he’s played second fiddle to the in form Joao Pedro.
Two goals in 40 appearances. Mostly cameos. But still.
Xabi Alonso has reportedly been promised three or four ‘ready made’ first team signings, one of which is expected to be a centre forward. With Joao Pedro and additional arrivals ahead of him, Delap may be forced to cut his losses and find a new club.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho’s first season at Chelsea has been a big disappointment. One goal in 24 league appearances. Competition on the left flank has been less intense than anticipated, with Jamie Gittens spending much of the season injured.
Chelsea may already be reassessing. Their recent willingness to move players on shortly after signing them, Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix suggests a summer exit isn’t out of the question.
Whether there’s a strong market for the Argentine remains uncertain. But with fans growing increasingly frustrated, a departure might be best for all parties.
Filip Jorgensen
Jorgensen has been Chelsea’s No. 2 since arriving from Villarreal in 2024. Thirty seven appearances in all competitions. But he looks set to be bumped down the pecking order this summer.
The Blues are set to reinforce between the sticks. Whether that’s a high profile arrival like Mike Maignan or the integration of highly rated youngster Mike Penders, Jorgensen’s long term future looks uncertain.
He may soon be forced to seek regular minutes elsewhere or risk spending the season as third choice.
Benoit Badiashile
Just 13 Premier League appearances since the end of the 2023/24 season. Badiashile’s Chelsea career looks done and dusted.
Four years left on his contract. But with the Blues eyeing one or two additions at centre back this summer, the Frenchman will be on the chopping block. Youngsters Josh Acheampong and Mamadou Sarr have gotten the nod ahead of him in recent months.
Marc Guiu
A season that began with a brief loan spell at Sunderland could yet come full circle. Guiu has featured only sparingly for the Blues, even amid their well documented injury issues in attack.
His long term potential remains an open question. But it already feels increasingly unlikely that his future lies in west London.
The bottom line
Alonso wants a squad that fits his vision. That means departures. Possibly significant ones.
Seven players who could be saying goodbye on Sunday. Seven players who may not feature in Chelsea’s future.
The clean up has begun. The rebuild is coming. And Stamford Bridge will look very different come August.
