"How Xabi Alonso Could Shape Chelsea's Future with Granit Xhaka and Six New Signings"

CHELSEA are set to head into the new season with up to SIX new faces in their starting line-up after Xabi Alonso has pushed for a reunion with Granit Xhaka.

The West Londoners had a for the Swiss midfielder, 33, with Sunderland adamant they want to hold onto their skipper.

Xabi Alonso could give the Chelsea squad a major makeover Credit: Getty Granit Xhaka has been earmarked as a serious transfer target Credit: Getty

But Chelsea are plotting a fresh offer following suggestions that personal terms have already been .

Xhaka was a crucial part of the Bayer Leverkusen side which stormed to the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal glory under new Blues chief Alonso.

And the former Arsenal man could head to Stamford Bridge as a replacement for .

But Xhaka would not be the only summer arrival expected to go straight into Chelsea’s preferred starting line-up.

Marco Palestra is edging towards sealing a big-money move from Atalanta after Stamford Bridge chiefs .

The highly-rated Italian, 21, was named Serie A’s defender of the year last season and would slot in at left-back.

Maxence Lacroix may also come into Chelsea’s backline after working his way onto Alonso’s radar.

The Frenchman, who is at the World Cup with France, with Crystal Palace last month.

And Lacroix would be in line to partner Levi Colwill at the heart of the defence if a fee is agreed.

Mike Penders will battle to replace Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s No1 after his loan spell at Strasbourg came to an end.

Emmanuel Emegha is following the keeper to the capital thanks to a last year.

He will be looking to form a solid partnership with Stamford Bridge favourites Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.

And Geovany Quenda is fighting to be part of a formidable front four, having from Sporting in March 2025.

Reece James, Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Palmer and Pedro could be the only stars in last season’s squad to keep their place as Alonso eyes a dramatic makeover.

Maxence Lacroix would come into Chelsea’s backline if he joins Credit: Getty

But the former Real Madrid chief may choose to set Chelsea up in a 3-4-2-1 formation after having huge success with the system at Leverkusen.

That would allow Trevoh Chalobah, who is , to come into the defence alongside Colwill and Lacroix.

Palestra and James would then be given the chance to get further up the pitch as wing-backs.

But Emegha and Quenda may be in danger of dropping out of the starting XI, with Pedro Neto potentially coming in.

Alonso, 44, could also decide to go down a totally different route to get Palmer in his favoured position as a No10.

That would be possible if Chelsea are tasked with adopting a 4-4-2 formation with the midfield set up in a diamond.

It could result in skipper James, who is , pushing into the middle of the park alongside Caicedo and Xhaka.

And Josh Acheampong then has the opportunity to make the right-back position his own after showing plenty of promise.

Emmanuel Emegha is eyeing a starting berth Credit: Getty

Malo Gusto would also challenge for the role as long as Manchester City do not meet his eye-watering .

Emegha is in line to profit if Alonso decides to go with two frontmen, with him being deployed alongside Pedro.