Chelsea dismiss Wirtz transfer talk despite Alonso's history with Liverpool star

Chelsea have moved to quash speculation linking them with a summer move for Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz, with sources close to the club dismissing reports that Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge could trigger a reunion with his former Bayer Leverkusen star.

Alonso coached Wirtz during their time together at Leverkusen, overseeing the most prolific period of the 23-year-old’s career. The German international scored 38 goals and contributed 43 assists in 119 appearances under the Spaniard before a £116 million move to Liverpool last summer. In his debut season at Anfield, Wirtz registered seven goals and 10 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions — a solid but unspectacular return that left some observers feeling he had yet to fully hit his stride.

One report had suggested Chelsea were keeping tabs on Wirtz and could make a move depending on the future of Enzo Fernandez. That claim was put to a source close to the west London club and flatly denied. Wirtz joins John Stones, Ethan Nwaneri, and Lucas Bergvall on a growing list of players whose reported links to Chelsea have been dismissed by those inside the club in recent weeks.

Alonso, 44, is preparing for his first Premier League campaign as a manager and Chelsea are targeting at least two first-team-calibre additions to strengthen his squad. The club’s recruitment focus, however, does not appear to include a player already settled — however imperfectly — at a direct rival.

The speculation was always likely to surface given the depth of the Alonso-Wirtz relationship. Wirtz spoke warmly of his former coach in November 2023. “I feel extremely valued under him,” he said. “I feel the trust. That’s really important, especially as a young player. He gives me a lot of freedom on the pitch and always has a tip on what I can do better.”

With Alonso now at Chelsea rather than Liverpool, it will be incoming Reds head coach Andoni Iraola who inherits the task of unlocking Wirtz’s best form in England. Liverpool turned to the former Bournemouth manager after parting ways with Arne Slot following a fifth-placed Premier League finish.

Wirtz is currently on international duty with Germany at the World Cup, having started both of their matches so far under Julian Nagelsmann. He provided the assist for Felix Nmecha’s opening goal in Germany’s second group game and played the full 90 minutes.