Chelsea‘s expensive rebuild has transformed Xabi Alonso‘s squad, but the manager may still be missing his ideal midfield controller.
Morgan Rogers has added power and creativity, while Jordan Henderson brings leadership after arriving on a free transfer. Valentín Barco can also operate in midfield following his move from Strasbourg.
Yet, none of those signings offers exactly what Martin Zubimendi would provide.
Moisés Caicedo remains Chelsea’s defensive engine, and Enzo Fernández can control possession and break lines with his passing, but Alonso has often preferred a specialist organiser sitting at the base of midfield.
There have also been many reports that Fernandez could leave Chelsea this summer, so Alonso may not have the Argentine for too long if interested sides stump up a fee close to his £120 million asking price.
Granit Xhaka performed Fernadez’s job during Alonso’s outstanding spell at Bayer Leverkusen, which partly explains why Chelsea tried and failed to sign the Switzerland star this window.
He set the tempo, offered defenders a reliable passing option and allowed more attacking players to move into dangerous areas.
Zubimendi has many of the same qualities.
The Spain international is rarely rushed in possession, constantly checks the space around him, receives the ball under pressure and moves it quickly before opponents can close him down.
Alonso knows those strengths better than most.
He coached Zubimendi at Real Sociedad B during the midfielder’s development and helped sharpen his understanding of the number six position.
Zubimendi has since described Alonso as an idol and an important influence on his career.
Arsenal eventually signed him from Sociedad last summer after paying around £56 million.
The move followed years of interest from leading European clubs, including Liverpool, who had previously tried to tempt him away from Spain.
His first season in England ended with Arsenal winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final, after making 57 appearances and scoring six goals in all competitions.
Those numbers underline how heavily Arteta, who called Zubimendi ‘exceptional‘, relied on him during a demanding campaign.
His position has attracted fresh attention because Arsenal have now finally agreed a £75 million deal with Newcastle for Bruno Guimarães.
The Brazilian will add another major personality to a midfield already containing Zubimendi and Declan Rice. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have no intention of selling Zubimendi following Bruno’s arrival.
That makes the latest Chelsea link particularly ambitious.
Xabi Alonso tells Chelsea he’d love to sign Martín Zubimendi
Journalist Simon Phillips reports on his Substack that a source has told him Alonso is a major admirer of Zubimendi.
Phillips says the Chelsea manager has communicated internally that the Arsenal midfielder is a player he likes and someone who interests him.
There is no suggestion that Chelsea have submitted an offer, approached Arsenal or started negotiations with Zubimendi’s representatives, though.
For now, this is best viewed as Alonso identifying a player perfectly suited to his football rather than anything remotely advancing.
Arsenal have Zubimendi under contract until 2030 and would have little reason to strengthen a London rival. Any serious proposal would need to be far higher than the amount they paid only one year ago.
The signing would make tactical sense for Chelsea, but completing it would be extremely difficult.
Alonso may know exactly how to unlock Zubimendi. However, persuading Arsenal to let him try is the much bigger problem.
