Xabi Alonso has been told to make an immediate change to Chelsea’s first-team squad when he arrives at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso is taking charge of Chelsea in July after being appointed as the club’s new manager on a four-year contract.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder replaces Liam Rosenior, who was sacked last month after just 106 days in the job.
Alonso takes over a Chelsea team that slumped to a tenth-place finish in the Premier League this season, failing to qualify for any European competition.
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The ex-Spain star will hope to bolster his squad during this summer’s transfer window, but outgoings will also be on the agenda as he aims to take Chelsea back to the top.
Chelsea are aware Enzo Fernandez wants to leave and have placed a huge £120m price-tag on the Argentine’s head.
Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer have all also been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, while Andy Townsend has advised Alonso to bring in a new goalkeeper.
Robert Sanchez is currently the No. 1 at Chelsea but could be replaced after another mixed season in west London.
‘I think Chelsea need a goalkeeper,’ Townsend, who spent three years at Stamford Bridge as a player, told BetVictor.
‘Robert Sanchez has produced one or two better performances recently, but I just feel he’s just one of those goalkeepers that will let you down in a big moment. He’s got a mistake in him, there’s a mistake never too far away.
‘Those sort of goalkeepers, I’m afraid, with modern day football, the way that goalies are asked to play, I think you’ve got to sort it out if your goalkeeper gives you the jitters. And he does that, I’m afraid.’
Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have also advised Alonso to replace Sanchez when he arrives at Chelsea.
‘I think the goalkeeper is a problem there at Chelsea, he’s a liability,’ Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. ‘He can’t play the way they will want to play.’
Scholes added: ‘With the way Chelsea will play, I agree. He can’t do it.
‘I’m pretty sure Xabi Alonso will want to play that way, to build out from the back, so he will need a new goalkeeper then.’
Chelsea is Alonso’s third senior managerial role following a disappointing stint at Real Madrid and a brilliant spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
Following his appointment, Alonso said: ‘Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.
‘From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
‘There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.’
Alonso spent five years in the Premier League as a player, helping Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005.
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