A new era will begin at Chelsea. Earlier this Sunday, the English capital club formalized the arrival of Xabi Alonso on its sidelines. The former Leverkusen and Real Madrid player has signed a 4-season contract with the Blues, with a huge challenge ahead of him: rebuilding and making the Londoners one of the leaders of the Premier League… but also of the European scene…
An arrival which will logically change things internally. Everything indicates that the Spaniard will have a lot of power, particularly in terms of building the squad and the transfer window. His takeover risks changing things, particularly for certain players who are expected to leave. And there are many of them at Chelsea, like Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro.
Alonso’s arrival is a game-changer for João Pedro
The Catalan press also takes stock of the situation of the Brazilian striker. According to Sportthe Basque technician would first like to make a complete inventory of his workforce before validating any major departure. A situation which directly complicates the João Pedro file, which has become one of Barça’s offensive priorities to prepare for the post-Robert Lewandowski era. Especially since the Blaugranas wanted to conclude the file before the World Cup, which will therefore not be possible.
On the Barça side, this possible blockage is seen as a real blow. The Catalan club is actively looking for a number 9 capable of supporting the offensive transition in the coming seasons, but the options are diminishing. João Pedro appeared to be a more accessible target than Julián Álvarez, whose cost could rise to 150 million euros… Chelsea, for their part, could already demand almost 100 million to consider a transfer of the Brazilian. And if Xabi Alonso decides to bet on him in his new project, the Blaugrana could simply have to abandon this track in the coming weeks. To be continued.
