Transfer Rumour Unconfirmed · Early speculationFootball.LondonUnverified source· 12 Aug 2026
Alonso wants four or five centre-backs as Chelsea juggle ten
Chelsea's boss has revealed his ideal defensive numbers, but with ten centre-backs on the books, who stays?
Chelsea
team
Manager
Xabi Alonso
Ideal number
Four or five centre-backs
Current count
Ten central defenders
Window
Less than three weeks remaining
What happened. Xabi Alonso stated Chelsea's ideal number of centre-backs is four or five, while the club currently has ten on their books.
- Alonso's comment came in Sydney, Australia, less than a fortnight ago.
- Chelsea face a challenge to offload surplus defenders before the window closes.
“Four or five.”
— Xabi Alonso
Chelsea's centre-back department will be active in negotiations before the transfer window ends.
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