Chelsea Transfer Rumours

09 Jun 2026 20:57:27
Going along the lines of 'no smoke without fire' theories, I can see a world where we lower our price for Fernandez, whilst still getting a book profit, and he goes to Madrid. In return, all be it as a technically separate deal, we then sign Güler from Madrid for below what would usually be their asking price, but still a profit for them.

It's a pair of deals that would suit most involved, so long a Güler was happy to miss UCL for a season in return for a reunion with Xabi Alonso and a prominent role.

09 Jun 2026 23:10:31
I think we set a price, and if a club wants him, they have to pay that price. I think around £110-120 is reasonable, but then I would.

10 Jun 2026 04:14:45
Another deal I'd happily take, J. We want players who want to play for us and for Xabi! Let Enzo go to the circus that is Madrid, where he does seem like he would fit in well.

Would be a huge vote of trust from Arda also, as he would have a long list of CL clubs lining up.

The fear is obviously being slow with deals, as Turkey in particular has a pretty easy group, and it doesn't take much for prices to blow up on the back of a couple of WC performances.

10 Jun 2026 04:43:32
We did set a price, and if Scott is priced up at £80m, then I think Fernandez should quite rightly be priced at £120m. However, there are scenarios where it's mutually beneficial for those lines to be moved.

In my opinion, if it allows us to get Guler, or even Tchouameni or Huijsen, at a reasonable price, it would make sense for our demands for Fernandez to be lowered.

10 Jun 2026 09:09:50
Well argued, J.

07 Jun 2026 11:46:28
So it appears we are in for Alejandro Grimaldo to replace Marc Cucurella. Anyone know much about him?

07 Jun 2026 12:43:57
Nothing from me, I'm afraid, Greenaway, but apparently Alonso likes him.

07 Jun 2026 18:45:03
Obviously perfect for the Alonso system, technically very good, capable of inverting in the attacking third and being a creative force. His heat maps, under Alonso, show how often he did this. He has a year left on his contract, so won't break the bank. It’s a move that makes a ton of sense to me. I actually think Barco could learn a lot from him, and eventually take over the LWB role permanently. People correctly point out that Barco is more CM than LB now, but I’d argue the LWB role, under Alonso, is more CM than LB, and would see Barco in more positions to use his creative passing, certainly more than he would in the double pivot.



I recommend everyone check out tactical reviews of Alonso's invincible season at Leverkusen. It becomes obvious how important Grimaldo was. My only concern would be him adjusting to the pace of the EPL at this stage of his career, but I think he should be good enough.

07 Jun 2026 20:12:35
Thanks, J. So you would endorse the signing? Sounds like the owners and sporting directors are buying into Alonso running the show if this one happens.

07 Jun 2026 22:11:33
100%, it makes a lot of sense in the short term. Also, part of the mentality monster hiring that Alonso wants to do.

08 Jun 2026 11:49:26
Thanks, J.

08 Jun 2026 14:31:43
Interesting posts, and thanks for them. I would endorse J's point about Grimaldo. Losing MC would still be a big blow, but given where we ended up after last season's dreadful mid-table mediocrity defining tenth place, it would not be surprising. I can only hope we don't lose EF or JP too, though EF seems a likely loss. It will be a tough job for Alonso to come in at this time, but we all hope he will be our equivalent of Klopp.

Our rivals for the top 4/5 will be strengthening yet further. LFC may improve considerably under Iraola. Our one big advantage should obviously be not having to play much midweek football, and being able to benefit as United (and Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Brentford!?) did last season.

08 Jun 2026 16:31:01
JBS

We have a really good squad of players. They were just badly coached.

08 Jun 2026 22:04:13
Grimaldo will be 31 in Sept, and has played his whole career in Benfica and Germany. He is okay. I would be happier with Hato at LB tbh - if we were to lose Cucurella.

08 Jun 2026 22:23:33
I think Bill is correct in saying we have a good squad of players. Maresca coached them well, with top 4 last season, 2 pots, and in a comfortable Champions League position this season; when he left, that was sadly undone by Liam and then Ginger.

Celery, I'm with you on Hato, he looks a sublime talent, but I think he really suits that left-sided centre back role in a back 3?

09 Jun 2026 08:07:25
We are not sure if Alonso is going to play with three at the back, although that seems to have been his favoured historic shape.

If he does go down that route, I'm not sure how that will affect our current wide players?

Of course, he could just look at the squad and play 433.



Grimaldo looked a solid player when I last saw him play. I'm not sure about him as a person/leader, but the manager knows him well, and we have to trust his judgement.

10 Jun 2026 05:19:12
I wouldn't get too caught up on starting formations, four or three at the back. In possession, Alonso's teams typically end up with three defenders and a pivot sitting deep, with five in the attacking positions. If we were to sign Grimaldo, it would be to fill one of the attacking five positions, from the left hand side.

Garnacho will likely move on, possibly Gittens and Neto too.

Although Neto can play inside, so maybe there's a role for him. Quenda can and has played WB. Estevao and Palmer are both very good options for Alonso's system.

Character-wise, he's been part of a Leverkusen side previously ridiculed as 'Neverkusen'. To go unbeaten in a season, all but one game across all comps, I'd suggest that whole team had great mentality and character - mentality monsters.

10 Jun 2026 05:23:11
Celery, I suspect we'll see Hato and Acheampong sharing mins, making up what ends up being a back three, with Colwill and a new CB signing.

10 Jun 2026 13:05:47
J. Yep, when/if Alonso plays a back 3, then I can see Hato (left) and Josh (right) getting some minutes. They are both tremendous players imho - we really do have some great young players.

03 Jun 2026 21:27:57
Some interesting developments regarding Morgan Rogers who is said to be very interested in joining Chelsea, while Chelsea's long-standing admiration for the Aston Villa star remains as high.

Chelsea have been looking for players who can instantly improve the first XI while also fitting Xabi Alonso's long-term vision. Rogers ticks every single box.

What makes this situation even more interesting is that both sides reportedly want the move. Chelsea want Rogers, and Rogers wants Chelsea. That's usually where the best deals start.

From a football perspective, it's easy to see why the club are pushing.

Rogers is one of the most complete attacking players in the Premier League right now. He can operate from the left wing, play as a No.10, drift centrally alongside Cole Palmer, or even play further forward depending on the system Alonso decides to use.

His biggest strength is probably his ability to carry the ball through pressure. He's powerful, direct, quick and incredibly difficult to stop once he starts driving forward. He combines the physicality of a midfielder with the creativity and goal threat of an attacker.

He's also proven he can thrive in a demanding tactical setup under Unai Emery, which should make the transition to Xabi Alonso's system much smoother.

He is also great friends with Cole Palmer and an English home grown.

This is about signing a Premier League-proven performer who wants to wear the badge, understands the league and still has room to develop into one of the best attacking players in England.

If Chelsea can agree the right fee, this could end up being one of the smartest deals of the entire summer.

04 Jun 2026 07:52:58
Rpd, I totally agree mate. Fingers crossed.

05 Jun 2026 14:53:23
Good player, and I would be happy to sign him. Not sure why he would join Chelsea without European football, etc.

05 Jun 2026 15:18:33
Arsenal bound. Far from the mentality monster Alonso is apparently after, according to Matt Law, he's very immature.

03 Jun 2026 14:40:08
My understanding, when Maresca left in mid season, was his contract had been terminated by mutual consent.

It would now appear that he was on some sort of “garden leave” and we are now negotiating with City for his contractual release and compensation.

03 Jun 2026 16:34:48
Garden leave. Now we know why Greenaway is always talking about grass not always being greener. Sorry, Greenaway, only joking.

04 Jun 2026 00:29:38
Almost all managers are put on gardening leave when given the heave ho. It's due to compensation for both the manager and the club. Basically, if a manager is fired, they're generally paid up the remainder of their contract unless there's clauses in their contract. Compensation agreements are flexible; ie if Manager A had 3 years left on their contract, the payout would be X. If they get a new job within a year, it's 1/2X; if within 6 months, it's 1/4X, etc.

They're put on gardening leave up til a set amount of time to see what compensation is owed.

In this case, I imagine we'll ask City for whatever we owe Maresca + a small fee for tapping him up. Or perhaps Maresca will waive whatever compensation was agreed with Chelsea and we'll get a small fee, nothing like what we'd get if he was still officially the Head Coach.

04 Jun 2026 15:07:20
My guess is City will pay up if they think they might get charged with tapping up!!

04 Jun 2026 17:06:46
It seems that Maresca was approached (tapped up) by Man City, and immediately reported this to the club, and told them he would not engage with them but would like a new contract to match what Man City were offering. Seems very fair, decent and reasonable on his part. It transpires that the club (Chelsea) told him no, and to go on garden leave, hence the change of manager.

I'm not sure what compensation will be due either way, but it does show Man City do tend to get away with whatever suits them. Will be interesting how this pans out, but my guess is their money will just cover it all up.

04 Jun 2026 21:45:50
RPD, I have never seen or heard any word of Maresca asking the club to match any potential City offer. That's a new one on me.

05 Jun 2026 10:59:05
Tom, I have seen it quoted several times that Maresca said he would not engage further with Man City if the club rewarded him with a new contract on improved terms, but he was told a very firm no.

05 Jun 2026 14:48:24
Rpd, that being the case, I'm super glad we parted ways with Maresca, and, again, if that is the case, it may well mean a larger payout from City.

02 Jun 2026 18:31:24
My mate, the not so happy Hammers fan tells me we have not only asked about Bowen but also Fernandez.
I think both are good players and if we are going for Fernandez that suggests to me that Enzo is likely to leave.

03 Jun 2026 08:34:44
Or maybe Tom, we are looking at other players just in case somebody makes an offer that is too good to turn down for EF.

03 Jun 2026 17:29:38
Fernandes looks a decent player, but last I saw the rumoured fee was very high - maybe as they've gone down, it will be brought down a bit, but in that case I can imagine there'll be plenty of competition to sign him.

02 Jun 2026 10:07:41
Ed, you got any inside Liverpool info on Konate?

The Athletic are reporting we've started talks with him, but others have said we're not interested. I'd also assume he'd have better options (Madrid or Bayern) to win now, rather than the current Chelsea project.

{Ed001's Note - I don't mate, there was not the interest in him he was expecting, so not sure what will happen.}

02 Jun 2026 10:43:01
I wouldn't want him at our club. I have a Liverpool supporter mate who refers to him as "the boat", and that doesn't paint a good picture.

02 Jun 2026 11:42:41
I'm with you Tom. Ed may have a differen view but, for me, he's a player who has benefited from Van dijk being alongside him, looks lost when expected to step up in his absence. Much better CB options out there for us, all be it not on a free transfer.

{Ed001's Note - he is a nightmare, wanders around aimlessly. I am glad he is gone from Liverpool so certainly wouldn't recommend someone else signing him.}

02 Jun 2026 13:21:47
The boat? More like the Titanic.

03 Jun 2026 05:59:42
We were never interested in him, pure click bait.
He will join Real Madrid.

03 Jun 2026 08:35:45
That's good news.

28 May 2026 19:04:42
Hi Ed,
This might sound a silly question but does the club now not in Europe have a completely different transfer targets than if we were.
I ask because of players like Rogers would never join this summer now, but Wharton for example still would.
Or is Chelsea still appealing even though we finished 10th.

Hope this makes sense.

{Ed001's Note - difficult to say as Alonso has changed the targets anyway. I would expect it to still appeal to some.}

29 May 2026 09:36:43
What do you think it will do, Steve? It will mean trimming our squad, which is too big now that we are not in Europe.

29 May 2026 11:05:53
That is interesting ED01 that Alonso has changed the targets, that is good to hear.

27 May 2026 22:25:17
Can't believe I'm saying this but - Wirtz to Chelsea, surely not Ed? Silly season has come out swinging this year.

{Ed001's Note - it is purely because Alonso is there that it has come into question. I am sure Xabi would love to work with him again and it would make a potential replacement for Enzo, but I can't see it happening.}

27 May 2026 22:15:16
Wirtz to Chelsea. Vey, very unlikely in my opinion.

Didn't have a good season for the scousers but he is a player I rate very highly.

My guess is it's more about him playing well for Alonso.

Love the rumours.

27 May 2026 21:46:23
Chelsea are in discussions about a Newcastle player and they have asked about Delap.

28 May 2026 08:26:41
Probably Tripper Tom, knowing our lot.