When Xabi Alonso will begin working with his Chelsea squad including three new signings

Xabi Alonso officially began his role as Chelsea manager on July 1, though he will get down to business with his squad on Thursday July 9 when pre-season training commences. The Blues stars not involved at the World Cup are set to start their pre-season workout and get the opportunity to work with their new manager for the first time.

Alonso is expected to start work with new signings who have signed pre-agreed deals to move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Among those already at the club's Cobham-based training centre is 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev from FC Kairat. The west Londoners agreed a deal for the talented Kazakh last February. Satpayev has been pictured at Cobham alongside FC Kairat owner Kairat Boranbayev and Chelsea sporting director Joe Shields. Chelsea sources say they are extremely excited by the signing of the hugely talented Kazakh attacker, though where he will play next season is uncertain. His contract officially begins when he turns 18 on August 12, with a loan to Strasbourg a possible option.

Geovany Quenda, the 19-year-old from Sporting CP, is another new signing already present at Cobham. He agreed to join Chelsea in March last year in a deal that also saw Dario Essugo make the switch. Quenda remained in Portugal for the 2025-26 campaign, scoring six goals and grabbing nine assists from 32 appearances. The appointment of Alonso could not be more perfect for Quenda, who excelled at wing-back for Sporting with the Spaniard favouring a back three formation.

Chelsea have also confirmed the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta in a deal worth a reported 47 million pounds including add-ons. The 21-year-old defender becomes the first major acquisition of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge. Palestra said: "I'm very excited to get started. I've felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me. We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager in Xabi."

Emmanuel Emegha and Valentin Barco from Strasbourg are Chelsea's other pre-agreed signings set to join ahead of next season. Players not involved at the World Cup, including Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, are expected to report from July 9, while those at the tournament will return in stages after a short break.