Chelsea have a new manager in Xabi Alonso, and the former Real Madrid boss will be expected to stamp his mark on the team. His downfall at Los Blancos was his inability to deal with big egos. Therefore, he might be wise to get rid of certain Blues players who are capable of acts of bravado.
5 Chelsea players who won't be back for the 2026/27 season
Marc Cucurella - confirmed
Marc Cucurella has already left Chelsea to join Real Madrid. Cucurella was one of the best left-backs in the Premier League so he will be missed at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been linked with multiple replacements for Cucurella, but one that looks likely is Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano.
Cucurella joined Chelsea in 2022 from Brighton & Hove Albion, who have so often been the Blues' feeder club. He helped Chelsea win the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League. In total, he made 163 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals with 13 assists.
Enzo Fernández - speculative
During the season, Enzo Fernández flirted with the idea of joining Real Madrid. He was suspended by the club for the comments that he made. He is one of the big egos that Alonso might be wise to part ways with.
The Argentine continues to be linked with Los Blancos, but also Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Moving to City could be fitting for Fernández, as he could link up again with his old Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca.
Axel Disasi - expected
Axel Disasi was frozen out at Chelsea, but he impressed whilst on loan at West Ham United last season. Despite his form for the Hammers, he was unable to prevent them from being relegated. The Frenchman is still expected to leave Chelsea.
He was only open to joining West Ham permanently if they kept their place in the Premier League. However, the Hammers are still reportedly trying to keep him. There has also been interest from Leeds United and Benfica.
Disasi is still contracted to Chelsea until 2029, so he may be given a fresh start under Alonso.
Liam Delap - probable
Liam Delap shone for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in 37 games in the division. This was for a side that was relegated, so he was expected to kick on at a club like Chelsea. However, he found the back of the net just once in 28 games for the Blues last season.
Joao Pedro is Chelsea's current first-choice striker, but he is seen more as a second striker. Nicolas Jackson has also returned to the club from Bayern Munich. If Alonso is not going to give Delap a chance, then he must leave to continue his development. The 23-year-old has been linked with Everton and Newcastle United.
Malo Gusto - on the cards
Chelsea were disappointed in the way that Maresca orchestrated his exit from Stamford Bridge. This enabled him to be Pep Guardiola's successor at City. Maresca has apologised to Chelsea, and he and City will pay compensation to the Blues.
Maresca could still come back to haunt Chelsea by stealing some of their players. Malo Gusto has reportedly agreed to join City. However, both clubs will still need to agree on a fee. Apparently, Chelsea would want a fee of £75 million for the player.
Gusto is a talented 23-year-old right-back, but his first-team opportunities are limited at Chelsea. This is because the club captain, Reece James, is ahead of him. The Blues will be reluctant to let Gusto go, especially as James is very injury-prone.
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