3 defenders Xabi Alonso should target

Chelsea New Signing: Chelsea’s defensive overhaul takes priority for Alonso

Chelsea New Signing: Xabi Alonso walked through the doors at Stamford Bridge on 1 July, inheriting a squad that will not be playing in Europe. But let us be honest here: it is hardly the stage Alonso belongs on. All the chatter online might be about Victor Osimhen and leading the line, yet the real groundwork happens at the back. If this new era is to actually work, sorting out the defence comes first. Alonso wants established winners. He wants them now.

1. Maxence Lacroix: The ready-made leader

Maxence Lacroix sits right at the top of the shopping list. The BBC, The Athletic, TEAMtalk, everyone has revealed that the deal is done.

The 26-year-old French defender swapped Wolfsburg for Selhurst Park in 2024 and went on a tear. FA Cup. Community Shield. Conference League. The bloke simply wins matches. That sort of pedigree is priceless for a manager trying to build a modern spine. He even grabbed his first senior France cap this year. Palace knew they cannot hold onto him forever, and Stamford Bridge is now his destination.

2. Ousmane Diomande:

Then there is Ousmane Diomande over at Sporting CP. At just 22, he is arguably the most exciting young centre-back playing outside the traditional elite. His release clause sits at £69m, but word is Sporting might take £40m if the lad digs his heels in. Look at his numbers from last season: 17 league starts, eight clean sheets, averaging over four clearances every single game.

Alonso wants him. Badly. Standing at 1.90m, he is a physical monster, dominant in the air, yet completely comfortable with the ball at his feet. Whether Alonso rolls out a back three or a back four, Diomande fits seamlessly. Chelsea have tracked him for ages anyway.

Read: Chelsea close to completing £52m transfer of world-class defender

3. Jacobo Ramon: The dark horse

Ramon is the name slipping under the radar. The young Spaniard helped Como pull off a shock Champions League qualification last season. Built at Real Madrid, he matches everything Alonso loves in a footballer: calm, intelligent, brilliant on the ball. Planet Football reckon he is firmly on the shortlist alongside the big names. Como are realistic about their place in the food chain, so a deal could be done without breaking the bank.

Lacroix first. Diomande second. Simple as that.

Lacroix drops straight into the starting XI and handles high-pressure games without throwing a wobbler. He proved that repeatedly with Palace. Diomande represents the future, but he costs serious money. Spending big on both in one transfer window sounds wild, but Clearlake have never been shy about flashing the cash. Whether Palace and Sporting actually play ball is another story entirely.