Xabi Alonso arrived at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Thursday as the Blues starting their pre-season preparations.
The Spaniard was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager earlier this summer, following the sacking of Liam Rosenior after a disastrous spell in SW6.
Rosenior himself had replaced Enzo Maresca who departed Stamford Bridge in January, with the Blues having finished tenth in the Premier League table last term after a tumultuous season.
Alonso’s first competitive game in charge will be against local rivals Fulham in August, and ahead of that game it has emerged that one member of his squad could be allowed to leave the club this summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, winger Alejandro Garnacho could be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer if a suitable offer is received.
Garnacho joined the Blues from rivals Manchester United last summer, having played more than 140 times for the Red Devils across all competitions.
Garnacho struggled during his debut season in west London (Photo: Sipa US/Alamy)
Since arriving in London, though, the Argentine has struggled and he started just 14 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games last term.
The Argentina international scored just eight goals and provided only four assists last term, and his poor form saw him miss out on a place in the national team squad for the World Cup in North America this summer.
Romano suggests that some clubs are already showing interest in the winger, with Chelsea willing to allow him to leave for the right price after just one season with the club.
Garnacho signed a long-term contract with the Blues when he joined last term which isn’t set to expire until the end of the 2031/32 campaign, but it appears increasingly likely that he will depart this summer.