Chelsea set for huge clear out after Xabi Alonso axes 12 stars from first-team training

Chelsea have as many as 12 players training separately from the main group, with Xabi Alonso looking to offload several of his unwanted stars before the September 1 deadline.

The Blues close out the opening weekend of Premier League action with a trip to Fulham on Monday Night Football as they aim to start their campaign with a bang.

Alonso wants to hit the ground running as Chelsea boss after making nine first-team signings this summer, including a British record £117 million transfer for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa and a £52 million move for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Arriving as a manager instead of a typical head coach, the Spaniard has been allowed to stamp his authority on the club's recruitment, notably capturing players who fit into his 3-4-2-1 system.

The former Real Madrid boss has focused on adding depth and quality to his wing-back positions with the additions of Pep Chavarria and Marco Palestra from Rayo Vallecano and Atalanta, respectively.

Alonso has also sanctioned four permanent exits from Stamford Bridge, with Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George all departing this summer.

Despite this, the 44-year-old still has a bloated squad, which includes more than 40 first-team players on his books. Chelsea are therefore desperate to reduce that number before the September 1 deadline, and the manager has already made his feelings clear on several individuals.

According to The Telegraph, as many as 12 players are training separately from the first team, forming a secondary group at Cobham.

Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Axel Disasi, and Tosin Adarabioyo are among the cohort who could exit the West London club before the window shuts.

Jackson has been strongly linked with a move to Aston Villa, who could reunite with Unai Emery, while Delap has been told he can leave, but his £40 million asking price is proving a sticking point for interested clubs.

Unlike in previous years when Chelsea have used a secondary group as a "bomb squad" of players they want to sell, the club have also been using it to allow players such as Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson to work on their fitness.

Malo Gusto, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, meanwhile, have been training with Alonso's main group ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, despite the possibility of their futures being away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's stance on Enzo Fernandez sale

Manchester City are actively pursuing a transfer for Fernandez after Rodri's transfer to Barcelona.

READ NEXT: Chelsea set Man City Enzo Fernandez deadline as never-before-seen transfer tactic used

The Blues agreed in May that the Argentine international could leave for £120m - but put a deadline of August 14 for any bids.

Chelsea have now told the 25-year-old's camp that he isn't for sale in this transfer window after City didn't trigger their asking price, and he looks set to feature in their West London derby clash on Monday.

Alonso is also in no rush to sell Gusto, who has a £75m asking price and has attracted interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Likewise, after slapping a whopping £100m price tag on Neto, it appears likely that the Portuguese international stays at Chelsea - unless a huge bid comes in from a Saudi Arabian club.