Predicting Xabi Alonso's First Season In Charge Of Chelsea - Success, Surprises & Goals | OneFootball

Previewing Chelsea's 2026/27 campaign - Xabi Alonso's first in charge. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Xabi Alonso will be desperate for a successful first season in charge of Chelsea as they look to go all-out in the three competitions they will be playing in during 2026-27.

After a 10th-place finish and missing out entirely on European football, only the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup await Chelsea in the upcoming season.

It offers Chelsea a chance to work with Alonso more closely and frequently on the training pitches at their Cobham base, as they look to work towards a strong campaign.

After last season's disappointment, it will be hard for Chelsea to be less settled this season under Alonso's management. Hopefully, there will be no chopping and changing of managers, and the group's mentality will have improved to help them get through tougher moments and periods during the season.

Chelsea have brought in experience, both in terms of age and Premier League nous, with the arrivals of Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson, Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers. The Blues have also added Marco Palestra, Pep Chavarria and Valentin Barco from European clubs to bolster the group and offer fresh options.

The Absolute Chelsea team have unanimously predicted a return to Champions League football next season, with varying finishes in the Premier League top four.

Chelsea will be desperate for some silverware in 2026-27, with several predictions seeing the Blues win either the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup.

Joao Pedro is Chelsea's new number nine, and he leads the line and is expected to be the club's top goalscorer.

Here are the Absolute Chelsea team's predictions in full for the 2026-27 season.

Matt Debono

Premier League: 3rd

Carabao Cup: Winners

FA Cup: Semi-Finals

Player of the Season: Joao Pedro

Young Player of the Season: Geovany Quenda

Surprise Player of the Season: Romeo Lavia

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Joao Pedro

Joel Middleton

Premier League: 2nd

Carabao Cup: Semi-Finals

FA Cup: Winners

Player of the Season: Joao Pedro

Young Player of the Season: Geovany Quenda

Surprise Player of the Season: Marco Palestra

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Joao Pedro

Gerry Crisandy

Premier League: 3rd

Carabao Cup: Runners-up

FA Cup: Semi-Finals

Player of the Season: Cole Palmer

Young Player of the Season: Josh Acheampong

Surprise Player of the Season: Jorrel Hato

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Joao Pedro

Premier League: 4th

Carabao Cup: Winners

FA Cup: Semi-Finals

Player of the Season: Joao Pedro

Young Player of the Season: Marco Palestra

Surprise Player of the Season: Levi Colwill

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Joao Pedro

Nick Emms

Premier League: 2nd

Carabao Cup: Winners

FA Cup: Winners

Player of the Season: Enzo Fernandez

Young Player of the Season: Josh Acheampong

Surprise Player of the Season: Pep Chavarria

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Joao Pedro

Sam Collins

Premier League: 4th

Carabao Cup: Round Four

FA Cup: Winners

Player of the Season: Cole Palmer

Young Player of the Season: Estevao Willian

Surprise Player of the Season: Romeo Lavia

Top Goalscorer (all competitions): Cole Palmer