Argentine could get unexpected squad slot for Chelsea as Alonso’s plans become clear | OneFootball

Chelsea’s centre back hierarchy is becoming clear as the squad is gradually trimmed down week by week.

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Xabi Alonso kept his cards very close to his chest on the preseason tour, and one of the very insightful pieces of information he gave away was about his thoughts on central defenders.

At the time he had ten of them in the squad, and he admitted that he would rather have four or five. Since then, there’s been a major cull, and we’re starting to see who Alonso is going for, as Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail pointed out.

Chelsea ready to hand young defenders first team squad slots

Josh Acheampong (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“Trevoh Chalobah has already been sold to Como, and [Axel] Disasi and [Benoit] Badiashile should soon leave also,” Gill writes.

“Tosin has interest from clubs in England and Europe – Benfica, managed by Marco Silva, formerly of Fulham, are among them – and [Mamadou] Sarr likewise has options. If all those depart, that would leave five in [Maxence] Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, and Anselmino, who impressed in pre-season before picking up an unfortunate hamstring injury during a 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.”

A chance for Anselmino to play more and a promotion for Josh Acheampong would both be welcomed by Chelsea fans.

In other news…

Reggie Walsh has joined Wigan on loan, and we can’t wait to see how the promising youngster gets on in the senior game.

Even with Walsh gone there are another 10 or so players Chelsea need to deal with before the deadline, with loans and sales expected in a flurry in the weeks to come.