Xabi Alonso has seven Chelsea 'untouchables' - and there's two big names missing

Updated: 10 Jun 2026 14:39 BST | 5 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn up a list of players that are absolutely not for sale this summer - but there are two major omissions that raise eyebrows.

Article continues under the video

The Blues are heading into a new era under the Spaniard, one that they hope will finally see them get back to the sustained success of the previous regime. Since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022, Chelsea have been a mess.

Enzo Maresca won the Conference League and Club World Cup last year, but by January, he had quit over disagreements with the club hierarchy. Liam Rosenior was hired as a replacement on a long-term deal, but he didn't even survive beyond April.

After a period of reflection, Chelsea went all-in on Alonso, who is not merely head coach but manager, illustrating that he will wield more influence than his predecessors. The Stamford Bridge club are also planning to alter their transfer strategy.

Despite not even being in the building yet, Alonso is already coordinating Chelsea's summer business with the club's five sporting directors. While there will again be major incomings, his first order of business is deciding which members of the squad will stay and who will go.

Alonso's untouchables

According to The Athletic, the 43-year-old has already drawn up a list of "untouchables" - players who are not for sale at any price this summer because Alonso wants to build his team around them.

Currently, there are seven such names. They include captain Reece James and defensive stalwart Levi Colwill, who recently returned from an ACL injury. Wonderkid winger Estevao, who only joined last year, is another untouchable, as is superstar midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Several players who have fielded transfer interest are also considered too important to lose by Alonso. Barcelona-linked Joao Pedro is not for sale, as Chelsea have told the Catalans numerous times in recent weeks.

Cole Palmer, who has been linked with a return to Manchester where Man Utd and his former club Man City are keen on him, is also not for sale, despite his indifferent form since the start of 2025.

Finally, versatile young defender Josh Acheampong is also considered untouchable. There were rumours that he could look to leave in search of regular game time, having been made a key target by Man Utd, but Alonso's first major personnel decision was reassuring the 20-year-old that he would be used regularly next season.

Fernandez, Cucurella missing

The fact that Alonso's list of untouchables does not include Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, two of Chelsea's more senior players, is illuminating. Both have publicly talked up a transfer away from the club, and the Spaniard clearly isn't having any of it.

Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for both, but they will only sell on their terms. The Blues insist that Fernandez can leave if a suitor offers around €140 million for the midfielder.

The Argentina international has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, though there have also been tentative links with Man City. The aforementioned Maresca is poised to take over at the Etihad, and the pair enjoyed a strong relationship during their time together at Chelsea.

Cucurella is similarly believed to be keen to leave the club after Chelsea missed out on European qualification. He, too, is fielding some interest from the Premier League, but his preference is a return to LaLiga.

The Spain international dreams of re-joining his former club Barcelona, but this is currently considered unlikely, despite admiration from the Blaugrana. Cucurella is also admired by Real Madrid, yet his most realistic destination appears to be Atletico Madrid at present.

Whatever the outcome, Alonso is already showing that he won't try to keep players if they aren't fully committed. Chelsea's dressing room undermined Rosenior, and after experiencing something similar first-hand at Real Madrid, Alonso is determined not to let history repeat itself.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store