Xabi Alonso is BlueCo's fifth permanent appointment but, perhaps crucially, their first ‘manager'.
This apparent shift in philosophy from the ownership has injected some much-needed positivity into the fanbase after a dire, ill-disciplined season in which Chelsea lost as many league games as they won.
A year with no European fixtures could be a blessing in disguise. Alonso might need those longer midweek sessions at Cobham if he is to successfully impart the 3-4-3 formation with which he romped to glory at Bayer Leverkusen.
Can Xabi Alonso turn this expensive bunch into winners? Chelsea 2026-27 season preview
With a number of managerial changes across the league and nine Premier League teams busy fighting on the continent, Chelsea will target Champions League qualification as a minimum.
And whisper it… but if Alonso is given access to the BlueCo piggy bank (a new goalkeeper has been a must, as has been a centre-back), then who is to say he can't make an unexpected title tilt?
Chelsea's early signings – three teenagers, Emmanuel Emegha from partner club Strasbourg and Atalanta's Marco Palestra – didn't address a shortage of experience. However, the omissions of Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer from their country's World Cup squads gave Alonso two fit, hungry forwards with a significant point to prove.
So, expect many a WhatsApp group created by Alonso as he tries to steal a march on his busy rivals.
The Coach
Xabi Alonso was revolutionary at Leverkusen, and then thrown under the bus by Real Madrid after just 233 days in charge. It could go either way at Chelsea. His high-energy gegenpress may be a shock to players who were outrun by every other Premier League team last term.
Key Player
Not since Diego Costa have the Blues had a potent line-leader. Joao Pedro has entered the chat.
The Brazilian bagged 20 goals in his debut season while offering good hold-up play, and was deservedly named Player of the Season. He'll be a vital cog in Alonso's machine.
Last Season's Results
PREMIER LEAGUE: 10th
FA CUP: Runners-up
LEAGUE CUP: Semi-final
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Last 16
Top Scorer
Joao Pedro bagged 20 goals in all competitions for the Blues last season.
Those exploits ranked him highly in the Premier League top scorers chart, even outperforming Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike.
Lessons From Last Year
Eleven players are better than 10. OK, it isn't the most revolutionary idea, but if Chelsea are to improve on 2025-26 – which is a low bar – then the more players they can keep on the pitch, the better.
Dismissals for Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, at home to Brighton and Burnley respectively, effectively cost Chelsea five points last season.
And, taken as a whole, a club-record 11 red cards in all competitions was toe-curling.
Most Likely To...
Fudge their way to a trophy. It's a Chelsea thing. Even at their worst, the Blues are capable of purple patches that take them to finals, so don't be surprised to see Alonso posing with a fluorescent can of Carabao in mid-March.
Least Likely To...
Get a sponsor on the front of their shirts. Gone are the halcyon days of Coors, Autoglass and Samsung. Sponsorless Chelsea shirts have become a refreshing normality over the last few seasons – no doubt giving their marketing team and accountant sleepless nights.
View From The Stands
Words by: CHAS EARLY & MOUCH MICHAELS @ChelseaPodcast
Last season was difficult for me to describe without swearing, so let's go with ‘hilariously awful'.
This season will be different because with any luck, we won't hire a massively underqualified manager mid-season.
The big talking point is if the club will prevent the sporting directors from screwing things up again.
Our key player will be Cole Palmer once more. No World Cup – though bad news for him – gives him a proper rest and a pre-season to get fully fit.
The active player I'd love to have back is Conor Gallagher.
The fans' opinion of the gaffer is delight at his appointment. Time will tell if he's allowed to do things his way or not.
If he left, he should be replaced by head coach at Como, Cesc Fabregas.
A social media account to follow is the excellent @Louis_Beneventi.
Look out for 20-year-old defender Jorrel Hato, who impressed after a shaky start. I think he'll kick on.
The departing player I'm saddest about is Marc Cucurella. We'll all miss his special blend of ability and s**thousery.
I won't be happy unless we sell Liam Delap.
The pantomime villain will be Mikel Arteta. Yes, He's a talented manager, but also easy to hate for his pitchside antics and whining in interviews. His defenders get away with murder at corners, too.
We'll finish 5th, if Alonso is given the players he needs and allowed to do his job. Not playing in Europe should help.
Fixtures
AUGUST
24 Fulham (A)
29 Brighton (H)
SEPTEMBER
5 Arsenal (A)
12 Hull City (H)
19 Brentford (A)
OCTOBER
10 Bournemouth (H)
17 Everton (A)
24 Tottenham (H)
31 Man United (H)
NOVEMBER
7 Sunderland (A)
21 Leeds (H)
28 Nott'm Forest (A)
DECEMBER
2 Crystal Palace (H)
5 Liverpool (H) 1
2 Man City (A)
19 Aston Villa (H)
26 Coventry (A)
30 Ipswich (A)
JANUARY
2 Newcastle (H)
6 Crystal Palace (A)
16 Sunderland (H)
23 Leeds (A)
30 Nott'm Forest (H)
FEBRUARY
6 Man United (A)
10 Newcastle (A)
20 Ipswich (H)
27 Aston Villa (A)
MARCH
3 Coventry (H)
13 Arsenal (H)
20 Hull City (A)
APRIL
10 Fulham (H)
17 Brighton (A)
24 Man City (H)
MAY
1 Liverpool (A)
8 Tottenham (A)
15 Everton (H)
23 Bournemouth (A)
30 Brentford (H)
Title Odds
Chelsea to win the 2026/27 Premier League title odds: 11/1
FFT Verdict
FourFourTwo verdict: Chelsea to finish 5th.
No European fixtures is bad news for club finances but perfect for Alonso, who'll have time to coach the methods that worked miracles in Germany. Questions in defence and in goal could hold him back.
This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.
