{"id":794,"date":"2026-08-09T19:04:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=794"},"modified":"2026-08-09T19:04:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T19:04:57","slug":"chelsea-stars-surprising-pre-season-form-should-convince-xabi-alonso-to-reject-roma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=794","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea star&#8217;s surprising pre-season form should convince Xabi Alonso to reject Roma"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-380301\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\"> <a class=\"fw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thechelseachronicle.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Plenty of Chelsea players will leave Stamford Bridge this month. With more than \u00a3350m spent on new signings and no European game time to offer, a whole host of fringe players need to leave.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thechelseachronicle\/club\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Chelsea<\/a> remain busy in the transfer market. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/chelsea-signing-pep-chavarria-is-biggest-sign-yet-xabi-alonso-could-be-changing-his-formation\/\">Pep Chavarria is due to arrive<\/a>, which will be Chelsea\u2019s 11th addition of the summer. Five deals were agreed before <a href=\"http:\/\/thechelseachronicle.com\/club\/manager\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Xabi Alonso<\/a>, and six since he was made manager.<\/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=\"fcccb887-8e35-43c8-a73a-2127f54ba9b8\" 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<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">How would you feel about this Chelsea team playing in the cup competitions? \ud83c\udfc6<\/h3>\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\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Chelsea's potential XI for cup games\" class=\"wp-image-379507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/Potential-cup-XI.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/the-exact-amount-chelsea-have-spent-so-far-as-jordan-henderson-becomes-10th-signing\/\">It has seen the Blues spend around \u00a3350m on new talent,<\/a> while Trevoh Chalobah will become the fifth major sale this summer after Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Jimmy-Jay Morgan.<\/p>\n<p>Even with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/trevoh-chalobahs-transfer-fee-has-caused-plenty-of-chelsea-fans-to-react-on-social-media\/\">Trevoh Chalobah set to join Como for \u00a331m<\/a>, that only takes Chelsea\u2019s incoming cash to around \u00a3150m. More sales are needed, and one option could be cashing in on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/tag\/jamie-gittens\/\">Jamie Gittens<\/a>; Roma are keen.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-have-a-decision-to-make-on-jamie-gittens\">Chelsea have a decision to make on Jamie Gittens<\/h2>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tuttomercatoweb.com\/serie-a\/roma-gasperini-smania-trequartista-fofana-gittens-nuove-idee-2261223\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">TuttoMercatoWeb<\/a>, Roma have added Gittens to their list after Gian Piero Gasperini\u2019s side missed out on Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine has joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"FBL-AUS-CHELSEA-WANDERERS\" class=\"wp-image-379041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287346627-1-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Chelsea's Jamie Gittens (C) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Sydney Super Cup game between Chelsea FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Stadium Australia in Sydney on July 28, 2026. (Photo by DAVID GRAY \/ AFP via Getty Images) \/ --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--\">Photo by DAVID GRAY \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Gittens has emerged as a target for Roma. At the end of last season and the start of the summer, most Chelsea fans would be willing for the club to green light a loan, given his struggles during 2025-26.<\/p>\n<p>But now, after such a stunning pre-season \u2013 scoring against Crawley, Bromley and Western Sydney and creating Estevao\u2019s goal against Spurs \u2013 Gittens has truly been the surprise package of Chelsea\u2019s summer.<\/p>\n<p>It appears he has overcome his hamstring problems and now looks like he will be able to have a real impact in a Chelsea shirt. That should convince Alonso to ignore any move from Roma to sign Gittens.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288386736-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Jamie Gittens of Chelsea FC dribbles the ball during the Sydney Super Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Accor Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images)\">Photo by Steve Christo \u2013 Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-realities-chelsea-face-regarding-roma-s-interest-in-gittens\">The realities Chelsea face regarding Roma\u2019s interest in Gittens<\/h2>\n<p>But there are two outstanding realities that Chelsea must consider before saying no to Roma. The first is that Morgan Rogers will start for Chelsea,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/transfer-news\/the-position-chelsea-pitched-to-morgan-rogers-that-solves-xabi-alonso-headache\/\"> having been pitched the left-wing role<\/a> before signing on.<\/p>\n<p>Rogers will start on the left when fit enough to start after his World Cup exploits, with Cole Palmer in the middle and whoever Alonso fancies on the right. Gittens is seen only as a left-sided attacker by Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p>Without Europe, Gittens will struggle to play. Rogers will start week in, week out, and barring an injury, Gittens will struggle to get a look in. Then there is Chelsea\u2019s need to sell players in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"a7ff3fe3-a05c-423f-9e8c-99ae14865441\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea Transfers\" data-comment-id=\"6a2018eb-e1a0-47cb-9bbd-1fd37be80e9c\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-transfers\">\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\">Which players would you sell to make up for Chelsea\u2019s spending? \ud83d\udcb8<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Chavarria is expected to cost around \u00a321m with add-ons.<\/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\/08\/stand-out-number-5-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/08\/stand-out-number-5.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>If Chelsea receive an offer in which they might get their money back on Gittens, BlueCo will find that hard to resist. The \u00a355m paid for Gittens, though, should put off suitors in the coming days and weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Roma are said to prefer a loan \u2013 as they did with Garnacho. Chelsea have shown they will only consider loans with obligations included, and it feels unlikely Roma are willing to provide promised cash.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/chelsea-stars-surprising-pre-season-form-should-convince-xabi-alonso-to-reject-roma\/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:'Chelsea star&#8217;s surprising pre-season form should convince Xabi Alonso to reject Roma',content_category:'Opinion',content_ids:[380301,\"jamie-gittens\",\"xabi-alonso\"],content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/chelsea-stars-surprising-pre-season-form-should-convince-xabi-alonso-to-reject-roma\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Plenty of Chelsea players will leave Stamford Bridge this&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-794","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\/794","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=794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}