•Xabi Alonso
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly informed five senior players they are free to leave the club as he begins reshaping his squad less than a week into pre-season training.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola yesterday, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, winger Alejandro Garnacho and striker Liam Delap have all been told they can seek moves elsewhere this summer.
The five players are said to have a combined market value of about £160 million.
The Sun reports that Alonso, who took charge of Chelsea this summer, has already hinted that Garnacho could leave amid reported interest from another club.
“We have spoken to the sporting director and there’s interest from him, from another club, so let’s see how it develops.
“I hope it finishes in the best possible way for all parties,” he said in his first press conference.
Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United last summer but endured a difficult debut campaign, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 43 appearances, according to the report.
Delap also struggled to establish himself after his move from Ipswich Town, managing two goals and four assists in 41 games.
Badiashile saw limited action last season, while Disasi fell out of favour before spending the second half of the campaign on loan. Goalkeeper Jorgensen also made only 12 appearances.
Chelsea have already strengthened Alonso’s squad with the arrivals of Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra ahead of the new season, while players involved in the FIFA World Cup are expected to rejoin pre-season training in the coming days.
