🚨🔵𝗡𝗘𝗪: Chelsea have explored the conditions of Julian Alvarez’s possible deal last Thursday during the meeting in London with Atletico Madrid, when Atleti opened talks to try to sign Nicolas Jackson from #CFC. AstonVilla are also working to sign Jackson.[@NicoSchira]
Agreement reached between Axel Disasi and Crystal Palace. Medical scheduled for this afternoon—An agreement had already been reached between Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Loan deal with no option to buy.[@FabriceHawkins]
Alonso needs leaders. He needs trust. He still has to prove the hype is justified but his attempts to change Chelsea’s mentality is an encouraging first step.[@JacobSteinberg]
There has been a lot of noise around Fernández. The midfielder has made no secret of his desire to leave but speaking out so much when Chelsea were wounded underlined the decline in standards.[@JacobSteinberg]
Chelsea need to shift a host of players before the transfer window shuts and questions hover over Enzo Fernández, who favours a reunion with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.[@JacobSteinberg]
Alonso needs order. There are still rumblings of instability off the pitch, with Todd Boehly and Mark Walter looking to sell their stakes in the club to the majority shareholder, Clearlake Capital. Quiet is rare.[@JacobSteinberg]
Alonso needs order. There are still rumblings of instability off the pitch, with Todd Boehly and Mark Walter looking to sell their stakes in the club to the majority shareholder, Clearlake Capital. Quiet is rare.[@JacobSteinberg]
Welbeck and Henderson still have something to offer. Welbeck scored 13 league goals for Brighton last season and will provide cover for João Pedro up front, while Henderson did not look out of place for Brentford.[@JacobSteinberg]
Yet it underlined their desire for more leadership and the box was ticked when Welbeck, 35, joined from Brighton in a cut-price deal and Henderson, 36, was brought in on a free transfer from Brentford.[@JacobSteinberg]
Either way it did not feel on brand when Chelsea made an unsuccessful attempt to sign the 33-year-old Granit Xhaka from Sunderland in June.[@JacobSteinberg]
There is talent here. There always has been, though. The flaw has more been around mindset. It is a footballing norm to have wise heads around to protect young players. Chelsea went too far in the opposite direction and it is one of the first areas Alonso has addressed.
Maxence Lacroix, the 26-year-old centre-back, is a sensible signing from Crystal Palace. Morgan Rogers, signed for £117m, can play in a range of positions in attacking midfield and could form an exciting partnership with a rested Cole Palmer.[@JacobSteinberg]
Cucurella has joined Madrid but Marco Palestra, signed from Atalanta for £43m, and Pep Chavarría, a £16.3m arrival from Rayo Vallecano, could play as wingbacks.[@JacobSteinberg]
Chelsea’s summer transfer window last year was not a good one and played a significant role in how things have gone awry. Two of the primary disappointments, Delap and Garnacho, came on as late substitutes at Wembley Stadium and, once again, made no impact.
[@TheAthleticFC]