Part of the rationale for Xabi Alonso’s appointment at Chelsea is that his style of play does not require a full squad overhaul — but that does not mean it will be a quiet summer.They are not in the same position as last summer, with a ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted players to clear out, but not everyone on their books can expect meaningful minutes next year. There are 29 senior players listed in the first-team squad on the club website, plus several who are on loan or have signed pre-agreements to join this summer. Nobody is out of contract, so any exits are dependent on finding an interested party.So who is best placed for a significant role under Alonso, and who might be better served by a loan or permanent exit? The Athletic looks at the options in each position.GoalkeepersAfter opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March. Sanchez has not been immune to errors, but his shot-stopping has been key to Chelsea and Liam Rosenior’s exit relieves some of the questions about his ability on the ball. At a time when the team needs stability, keeping him as first-choice goalkeeper feels a less risky option than going into the market.Mike Penders’ impending arrival after his loan at Strasbourg has implications for the rest of the goalkeeping department. If Chelsea want the 20-year-old to begin integrating into the squad as Sanchez’s deputy, it might be wiser for Jorgensen — who had a horrible moment against PSG, but has overall improved across the season — to move on. Teddy Sharman-Lowe, who gained experience on loan at Bolton Wanderers in the first half of the season, would appear to be next in the pecking order ahead of Gaga Slonina.Keep: Sanchez, Penders, Sharman-Lowe
Chelsea squad audit: Time to cash in on Enzo Fernandez? What next for Liam Delap?
Who stays? Who goes? What does Alonso want? We go through Chelsea's squad to see what could change over the summer











