Xabi Alonso in Chelsea dreamland as new Martin Zubimendi stance on Arsenal future revealed

Let’s settle this, Chelsea are better off with Reece James at right-back… 🤔

Do you prefer James in midfield or at right-back – and why?

Chelsea were linked with signing the Spain star in the summer, but Arsenal preferred to keep him after an injury sustained by Bruno Guimaraes. It wasn’t like Zubimendi was pushing for a sale during the summer.

But if Alonso had the choice, he’d love Zubimendi at Chelsea. The duo worked together while Zubimendi was in Real Sociedad’s B team, and Alonso was gaffer – nurturing the Spaniard into a version of himself.

Martin Zubimendi’s new stance gives Chelsea hope

Alonso would love Zubimendi at Chelsea, with the Blues in desperate need of a new midfielder. Now, TeamTalk shares Zubimendi’s stance, and it comes as a massive boost to Chelsea’s chances of a deal.

They claim that Zubimendi will push for an exit in January if his game time does not improve between now and the winter window. Guimaraes is already back in training ahead of Arsenal facing Napoli.

Ultimately, if Zubimendi thought his game time was poor already, it’s going to reduce. Come January, the chances are Zubimendi will look for an exit, and a reunion with Alonso will surely appeal to the midfielder.

How much would Chelsea have to spend to sign Zubimendi?

Arsenal signed Zubimendi for £51m from Sociedad in the summer of 2025, and he made an immediate impact in a Gunners shirt. He has proven himself in the Premier League and has years left on his deal.

Not only that, but Arsenal would prefer to sell elsewhere rather than to Chelsea – who they now believe are a proper title contender given how close Chelsea came to getting a result on Sunday at The Emirates.

But if Chelsea can nab Zubimendi for around £60m, then it is guaranteed Alonso will be pushing for the deal. He is not like Enzo Fernandez, but Chelsea needed a more defensive version of Fernandez anyway.

Manu Kone, Alex Scott and Lamine Camara remain options for Chelsea, but if Alonso could hand-pick the midfielder Chelsea end up signing, it would be Zubimendi. They have a real chance of a January deal.