Xabi Alonso leaves 12 Chelsea players out of first-team squad

Xabi Alonso drops 12 Chelsea players

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has begun work on optimizing the London club's squad ahead of the new season.

According to The Telegraph, 12 Chelsea players have been training separately from the first team for several days. Strikers Liam Delap and Nicholas Jackson have also joined the group.

The changes in the squad are related to Alonso's strategy to rebuild the attacking line. The Spanish specialist plans to focus on Joao Pedro, who is considered an untouchable player at Chelsea, as well as Danny Welbeck, who was brought in from Brighton.

The players in the separate group are training at the same time as the Chelsea first team and can use the common infrastructure at the club's base.

The group is not only for players who are expected to be transferred or loaned out, including Mikhail Mudryk, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi. The Chelsea coaching staff also uses the group as a physical training and recovery center for new players. For example, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have trained with the group to help them reach optimal fitness faster.

Jackson and Delap are among the players who could leave the club. Chelsea are looking to get around £65 million for the Senegalese striker and at least £50 million for the Englishman.

Mudryk, who recently returned to football after a long ban, could move to another club on loan. However, Chelsea have not yet found a suitable option for him.

Disasi and Adarabioyo are also training in separate groups. Both defenders are expected to leave Chelsea before the transfer window closes. They have been linked with a move from England and abroad, but there has been no significant progress in the talks so far.

Meanwhile, Emanuel Emega, who was transferred from Strasbourg, is also in Alonso's plans. The Dutchman will compete with Welbeck and Joao Pedro for a place in the attacking line.

Thus, Chelsea continues to gradually reduce the squad in order to optimize the preparation for the new season.