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Eleven transfer targets Xabi Alonso could assess as Chelsea players head to World Cup

With Chelsea's transfer window set to open during the World Cup, newly appointed manager Xabi Alonso will have the chance to assess potential signings including Marcus Rashford, Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz alongside eleven current Blues already in the squads.

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Eleven transfer targets Xabi Alonso could assess as Chelsea players head to World Cup
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Xabi Alonso will begin his Chelsea tenure with a ready-made scouting opportunity this summer, as eleven current Blues players head to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico — and a string of reported transfer targets will be on show alongside them.

Alonso’s appointment was confirmed last month, replacing Liam Rosenior in the dugout. The former Spain international has signed a four-year deal and officially takes charge on 1 July, giving him the entirety of the tournament to assess potential recruits before the transfer window closes.

Chelsea’s World Cup contingent is substantial. Reece James (England), Pedro Neto (Portugal), Mamadou Sarr and Nicolas Jackson (Senegal), Marc Cucurella (Spain), Jorrel Hato (Netherlands), Malo Gusto (France), Enzo Fernandez (Argentina), Mike Penders (Belgium), and Kendry Paez and Moises Caicedo (Ecuador) will all represent the club on the world stage.

Among the names linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, Premier League pair Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) are both in England’s squad, offering Alonso an extended look at two reported domestic targets. Free agent Ibrahima Konate, the former Liverpool centre-back, is set to represent France and is also said to be in the frame.

The full list of players reportedly on Chelsea’s radar who will feature at the tournament is as follows: Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal, Everton), Ibrahima Konate (France, free agent), Valentin Barco (Argentina, Strasbourg), Marcus Rashford (England, Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (England, Aston Villa), Ferran Torres (Spain, Barcelona), Florian Wirtz (Germany, Liverpool), Nathaniel Brown (Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt), Rafael Leao (Portugal, AC Milan), Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast, RB Leipzig), and Desire Doue (France, Paris Saint-Germain).

With all 26-man squads now officially confirmed and the tournament days away from kick-off, Alonso will have a concentrated window to run the rule over targets before making his mark on Chelsea’s squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

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