New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly informed five senior players that they are free to quit the club as he begins to reshape his team less than a week into pre-season training.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, winger Alejandro Garnacho, and striker Liam Delap have all been advised they can go this summer.
The five players are reported to have a combined market value of approximately £160 million.
According to The Sun, Alonso, who took over as Chelsea manager this summer, has already intimated that Garnacho may go due to alleged interest from other clubs.
“We have spoken to the sporting director, and there’s interest from him and from another club, so let’s see how it develops.
“I hope it finishes in the best possible way for all parties,” he said in his first press conference.
Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United last summer but had a rough debut season, scoring eight goals and four assists in 43 appearances, according to the article.
Delap also struggled to establish himself following his arrival from Ipswich Town, scoring two goals and assisting four times in 41 outings.
Badiashile played little last season, while Disasi fell out of favor before spending the second half of the season on loan. Jorgensen, the goalkeeper, likewise made only 12 appearances.
Chelsea has already boosted Alonso’s roster with the additions of Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, and Marco Palestra ahead of the new season, and players involved in the FIFA World Cup are scheduled to resume pre-season training in the coming days.
