Chelsea player asks to leave the club days after Xabi Alonso's appointment

Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will be making plans to work with the club to leave his own mark on the summer transfer window.

Alonso has been appointed as the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior, who in turn replaced Enzo Maresca at the start of 2026.

The Spaniard moves to Stamford Bridge months after leaving Real Madrid. While the Bernabeu ascension didn't work out as planned, Alonso represents a coup for BlueCo and Chelsea.

Alonso earned the chance to lead Real Madrid on the back of the 2023-24 season, when he coached Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season and a domestic double but lost to Atalanta in the final of the Europa League.

He parted ways with Real Madrid in January with the team four points behind Barcelona in second place in La Liga.

As June becomes July, Alonso will throw himself into the traditional chaos that is a summer transfer window at Chelsea. With no European football to contend with next season, the Blues' squad size and potential outgoings will be as interesting to observe as the inevitable barrage of new signings.

Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has volunteered to be one of the first out of the Stamford Bridge door, according to BBC Sport.

"Jorgensen has indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge over a lack of regular game time," reports Nizaar Kinsella.

"Under former head coach Enzo Maresca, Jorgensen largely acted as Robert Sanchez's understudy, before being rotated in and out under successor Liam Rosenior.

Jorgensen to leave Chelsea in pursuit of playing time

"That lack of regular game time is understood to be behind his desire to leave, with Chelsea open to a sale on favourable terms after previously blocking his attempts to depart in January.

"Interest was registered in the last transfer window by Besiktas, Genoa and Porto. However, wider Premier League interest is also expected."

The Danish goalkeeper joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2024 but has been unable to pin down a starting spot.

He was a regular in the Conference League in his first season in London but made just six Premier League appearances in each of the last two seasons.

Jorgensen is understood to have five years remaining on his Chelsea contract.

"The Blues also have Mike Penders, 20, on their books after he spent the season on loan at partner club Strasbourg," adds Kinsella.

"Another goalkeeper may still need to be signed by the BlueCo group to ensure Strasbourg can push for European qualification again next season."