{"id":3897,"date":"2026-09-09T12:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T12:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3897"},"modified":"2026-09-09T12:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T12:05:18","slug":"xabi-alonso-in-chelsea-dreamland-as-new-martin-zubimendi-stance-on-arsenal-future-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3897","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso in Chelsea dreamland as new Martin Zubimendi stance on Arsenal future revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-384510\">\n<p><strong>Chelsea need a midfielder, and if Xabi Alonso could handpick the signing Chelsea make, it would be Martin Zubimendi. Now, he is a step closer to making it happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/martin-zubimendi\/\">Zubimendi<\/a> was a substitute for Arsenal during Sunday\u2019s 2-1 win over <a href=\"http:\/\/thechelseachronicle.com\/club\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Chelsea<\/a>. The Spaniard has featured in all four of Arsenal\u2019s games this season, but only as a substitute \u2013 a combined 65 minutes in total.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"0fa02199-e44d-43cd-ad1f-a53b37eb24a3\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Let\u2019s settle this, Chelsea are better off with Reece James at right-back\u2026 \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Do you prefer James in midfield or at right-back \u2013 and why?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-384290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/xabi-alonso-has-told-chelsea-he-wants-to-sign-arsenal-midfielder-this-summer\/\">Chelsea were linked with signing the Spain star in the summer,<\/a> but Arsenal preferred to keep him after an injury sustained by Bruno Guimaraes. It wasn\u2019t like Zubimendi was pushing for a sale during the summer.<\/p>\n<p>But if Alonso had the choice, he\u2019d love Zubimendi at Chelsea. The duo worked together while Zubimendi was in Real Sociedad\u2019s B team, and Alonso was gaffer \u2013 nurturing the Spaniard into a version of himself.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-martin-zubimendi-s-new-stance-gives-chelsea-hope\">Martin Zubimendi\u2019s new stance gives Chelsea hope<\/h2>\n<p>Alonso would love Zubimendi at Chelsea, with the Blues in desperate need of a new midfielder. Now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamtalk.com\/arsenal\/martin-zubimendi-transfer-arsenal-january-decision-real-madrid-chelsea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">TeamTalk<\/a> shares Zubimendi\u2019s stance, and it comes as a massive boost to Chelsea\u2019s chances of a deal.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Spain v Argentina: Final - FIFA World Cup 2026\" class=\"wp-image-380728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2287043887-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Martin Zubimendi of Spain kisses the World Cup trophy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, if Zubimendi thought his game time was poor already, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-much-would-chelsea-have-to-spend-to-sign-zubimendi\">How much would Chelsea have to spend to sign Zubimendi?<\/h2>\n<p>Arsenal signed Zubimendi for \u00a351m 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.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-1024x699.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea v Arsenal - Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg\" class=\"wp-image-382966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-1024x699.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-1536x1048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-1140x778.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2256309978-750x512.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Liam Rosenior manager \/ head coach of Chelsea and Mikel Arteta manager \/ head coach  of Arsenal step in as tensions flare between Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal after  the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Not only that, but Arsenal would prefer to sell elsewhere rather than to Chelsea \u2013 who they now believe are a proper title contender given how close Chelsea came to getting a result on Sunday at The Emirates.<\/p>\n<p>But if Chelsea can nab Zubimendi for around \u00a360m, 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/xabi-alonso-in-chelsea-dreamland-as-new-martin-zubimendi-stance-on-arsenal-future-revealed\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")[0].appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Xabi Alonso in Chelsea dreamland as new Martin Zubimendi stance on Arsenal future revealed',content_category:'Transfer News',content_ids:[384510,\"martin-zubimendi\",\"transfer-news\",\"xabi-alonso\"],content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/xabi-alonso-in-chelsea-dreamland-as-new-martin-zubimendi-stance-on-arsenal-future-revealed\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea need a midfielder, and if Xabi Alonso could handpick the signing Chelsea make, it&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}