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Chelsea Striker Joao Pedro Shines as Xabi Alonso Seeks Solutions for Midfield Vacuum
Confirmed
In Short: Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has been in excellent form, scoring 25 goals since joining the club, but Xabi Alonso faces challenges in the midfield after Enzo Fernandez's departure.
The Blues' new coach, Xabi Alonso, is facing a midfield crisis after Enzo Fernandez's £120m move to Manchester City. Despite a summer spending spree, Chelsea has not signed a replacement, leaving Alonso with limited options. "Chelsea didn't get in a new midfielder after Enzo Fernandez left on transfer deadline day," Gary Neville, former Manchester United and England defender, told Sky Sports.
Joao Pedro, who signed a new contract until 2034, has been a standout performer, scoring 25 goals since joining Chelsea. He recently won the club's player of the month award, beating out teammate Cole Palmer. "Joao Pedro is similar in style to Karim Benzema and at a comparable level to Erling Haaland," Alonso said, highlighting the striker's potential. However, Pedro's versatility may not be enough to fill the void left by Fernandez.
Alonso is also considering the future of Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 world champion, who is weighing whether to stay in F1. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is working on a fresh rules concession plan to help Honda, Alonso's engine supplier, accelerate progress. "A decision on Fernando's future would depend on a lot of factors," said Aston Martin's chief trackside officer, Mike Krack.
Chelsea's perfect start to the new Premier League campaign ended with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Morgan Rogers gave the visitors the lead early, but Arsenal's goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli secured the win. Reece James and Moises Caicedo are expected to remain central to Alonso's plans, though Caicedo is an injury doubt. Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson also provide options, though Henderson is sidelined.
Romeo Lavia, a Chelsea academy star, has impressed in both games this season but has been plagued by injuries since joining the club in 2023. Xabi Alonso has name-checked two Chelsea academy stars ahead of the London derby against Arsenal, showing his confidence in the young talent. "We have options and we need to have the right balance and we think that we have quality, competitiveness for all the season and to face each opponent," Alonso said.
Reggie Watson, the son of former Crystal Palace and Wigan midfielder Ben Watson, has trained with Chelsea's first team after traveling on their pre-season tour of Australia. Watson, 16, has emerged as a potential first-team player, adding depth to the squad.
What's confirmed
- The Blues' new coach, Xabi Alonso, is facing a midfield crisis after Enzo Fernandez's £120m move to Manchester City. Despite a summer spending spree, Chelsea has not signed a replacement, leaving Alonso with limited options. "Chelsea didn't get in a new midfielder after Enzo Fernandez left on transfer deadline day," Gary Neville, former Manchester United and England defender, told Sky Sports.
- Joao Pedro, who signed a new contract until 2034, has been a standout performer, scoring 25 goals since joining Chelsea. He recently won the club's player of the month award, beating out teammate Cole Palmer. "Joao Pedro is similar in style to Karim Benzema and at a comparable level to Erling Haaland," Alonso said, highlighting the striker's potential. However, Pedro's versatility may not be enough to fill the void left by Fernandez.
- Alonso is also considering the future of Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 world champion, who is weighing whether to stay in F1. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is working on a fresh rules concession plan to help Honda, Alonso's engine supplier, accelerate progress. "A decision on Fernando's future would depend on a lot of factors," said Aston Martin's chief trackside officer, Mike Krack.
- Chelsea's perfect start to the new Premier League campaign ended with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. Morgan Rogers gave the visitors the lead early, but Arsenal's goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli secured the win. Reece James and Moises Caicedo are expected to remain central to Alonso's plans, though Caicedo is an injury doubt. Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson also provide options, though Henderson is sidelined.
- Romeo Lavia, a Chelsea academy star, has impressed in both games this season but has been plagued by injuries since joining the club in 2023. Xabi Alonso has name-checked two Chelsea academy stars ahead of the London derby against Arsenal, showing his confidence in the young talent. "We have options and we need to have the right balance and we think that we have quality, competitiveness for all the season and to face each opponent," Alonso said.
- Reggie Watson, the son of former Crystal Palace and Wigan midfielder Ben Watson, has trained with Chelsea's first team after traveling on their pre-season tour of Australia. Watson, 16, has emerged as a potential first-team player, adding depth to the squad.
What's still developing
- Alonso, who made 195 appearances alongside former Ballon d'Or winner Benzema at Real Madrid, said there were also similarities between the Frenchman and Joao Pedro.
- Alonso is currently weighing up whether he wants to stay in grand prix racing next year, as he feels little excitement for F1’s current regulations and is facing competitive uncertainties too.
- It is unclear what fresh assistance Stroll and Alonso are chasing now, and sources suggest that discussions have not yet got as far as any formal rule change details being focused on and talked about in detail with Honda.
- He revealed that he was awaiting some feedback from Alonso about what the FIA can do to assist things.
- It has emerged at the Spanish Grand Prix, however, that efforts are underway behind the scenes to give Aston Martin’s struggling engine supplier Honda an extra helping hand for 2027 – and therefore boost Alonso’s incentive to remain.
- Fresh from a difficult Italian Grand Prix outing for Honda’s upgraded power unit, Ben Sulayem met with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll on Thursday to discuss a potential action plan that can help both his squad’s competitive fortunes and secure a fresh contract with Alonso.
- It is understood that the FIA president, having spoken to Alonso at Monza, plans further talks with the two-time world champion in Madrid to try push forward with a package of measures that can help.