Online Reporter
CHELSEA have spent years trying to solve their No9 problem – now Xabi Alonso has NINE options to deal with.
When Danny Welbeck joins on a surprise two-year deal from Brighton, the Blues will be overflowing with strikers.
Joao Pedro asserted himself as the club’s out-and-out centre forward last season and will surely be first choice again in year two at Stamford Bridge.
But who Alonso settles on to fill his squad for a campaign without European football remains to be seen. He is certainly spoilt for choice. So here’s who is in contention – and who isn’t.
Danny Welbeck
Chelsea have been crying out for some experience in the squad since BlueCo’s 2022 takeover. Now they will have some.
Welbeck is an ideal backup in a three-man attack. Someone to take the midweek cup matches and occasional low-key Prem fixture.
He will raise standards in training, has been extremely durable in recent seasons on the south coast, and is something different to others.
Olivier Giroud was the last player Chelsea had in this mould – and he became a cult legend.
Welbeck might not do that, but at least he won’t be able to score AGAINST Chelsea anymore.
Verdict: Keep.
Liam Delap
The Englishman was the worst of three strikers who played against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday in a first televised pre-season friendly.
He has had a stinker since joining for what looked a good price at £30million last summer.
But Delap has been more of an unwanted battering ram up front, making fouls and taking his frustration out on opponents.
He may well want to stay at SW6 (who wouldn’t, on a long, big contract?) but he has the least to offer right now.
Verdict: Sell.
Emmanuel Emegha
Nobody knows how much Chelsea paid sister club RC Strasbourg for their captain. It was a transfer completed a year ago and caused outrage.
At the time, Dutchman Emegha was coming off a strong season in Ligue 1 – 14 goals and three assists in 27 games – but he’s hardly played since.
Hated by his own fans in France after announcing an exit as captain, Emegha is a controversial figure and has already been bumped down the pecking order at Chelsea.
But he may well have more to offer than Delap, so it is a shootout between him and Nicolas Jackson for who takes the second choice spot behind Joao Pedro.
Surely Chelsea won’t sell him before he’s played a competitive game, though. That makes a loan and a possible sale next year more likely.
Reports suggest the club will listen to offers. His injury forcing him to miss the start of pre-season has been horribly timed.
It keeps up an unwanted fitness record which could concern Alonso.
Verdict: Loan.
Nicolas Jackson
On paper, Jackson is definitely the second best option of the lot.
But he’s also the most valuable player who the club would be happy to shift.
With a not unreasonable pricetag of £65million, a serious profit is there to be made.
Jackson is wanted by Aston Villa and might fancy his chances of being a regular starter in a reunion with former Villarreal boss Unai Emery.
The prospect of him linking up with Cole Palmer again, and maybe even Joao Pedro dropping deeper, is certainly appealing, though.
Joao Pedro, Jackson, and Welbeck covers all bases. But if Jackson wants to pursue his career elsewhere, Chelsea won’t stop him.
Verdict: Keep.
Dastan Satpayev
The big winner of Alonso’s tour Down Under opener is this Kazakhstan wonderkid.
Still only 17 – and not officially even a Chelsea player until his birthday next month – the £3.5million trialist has made quite the splash.
He will need time before being Prem ready, but with a year of adult football – and some Champions League action as well as senior international games – under his belt, Satpayev might be further along than many imagined.
Staying in the academy is unlikely to test him. But regular minutes will be needed.
The alternative is to keep him around to acclimatise and settle in England, perhaps with the view of promoting him fully next summer.
Verdict: Loan.
Marc Guiu
After two years of mismanagement and not enough pitch time, Guiu is a goner.
Chelsea would love to get £25million for the Barcelona La Masia graduate, but that will be a stretch.
If he went away to Ligue 1, Belgium, or Holland and bagged a load of goals, it would be an easier sale.
Like the rest of this list, he isn’t away on pre-season, so isn’t going to be hanging around.
Verdict: Loan.
Shumaira Mheuka
The lack of call-up to Alonso’s travelling party speaks volumes for Shim Mheuka.
Not because he’s not good enough – he really is, and don’t back against him being a bolter for England’s 2030 World Cup group either – but because he is being lined up for a loan.
The 18-year-old is dominant at PL2 level so getting the right move for him this season is vital.
Chelsea have to get it spot on if they are to help their Under-21 captain realise his enormous full potential.
Verdict: Loan.
David Datro Fofana
Most fans have probably forgotten – or wish they had – that Fofana ever played for Chelsea.
Fofana has had a host of underwhelming and outright disastrous loans. It’s time to cut ties permanently for everyone’s benefit.
Chelsea only spent £10million on him in January 2023. Profit, even a small one, shouldn’t be hard to come by.
Verdict: Sell.
Deivid Washington
File this one next to DDF under: Chelsea still own him?
Washington cost a dumb £17million in Todd Boehly‘s sporting director summer of 2022.
He has barely played any football since.
Chelsea sent him back to boyhood club Santos on loan last year and it did not go well.
Somehow, they need to get him off the books.
Verdict: Sell – Sun.
