19/05/2026

SPORTS TUESDAY | MAY 19, 2026

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Chelsea roll the dice Alonso will take over this summer hoping to lead the Blues back to contention among the biggest honours in the game

Six facing the axe at Chelsea XABI ALONSO’S announcement as Chelsea manager was a nice sweetener for the Blues fans following their disappointing FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City. Alonso, who started the season as Real Madrid boss, will replace Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge, but has plenty of work to do, not least with the state of the Chelsea squad. Ahead of his arrival at the capital club, Express Sport have picked out six players who need to be moved on. ROBERT SANCHEZ The goalkeeper department has been an issue at Chelsea for some time. Robert Sanchez has his moments, but far too often the Frenchman is at the scene of the crime. Chelsea won’t ever be a serious contender for the biggest trophies as long as he’s between the sticks. FILIP JORGENSEN If Sanchez is a liability, Filip Jorgensen is a disaster waiting to happen. It really wouldn’t be a surprise if Alonso’s first job as Chelsea manager is to source two goalkeepers for his squad. TOSIN ADARABIOYO It was a nice idea bringing him in on a free transfer, but the sad reality is Tosin Adarabioyo’s level isn’t – or rather shouldn’t – be where Chelsea wants to go. Too error-prone and not up to scratch. TREVOH CHALOBAH Likewise for Trevoh Chalobah. He was given a second lease of life after his loan spell with Crystal Palace was cut short last season, and has played plenty since. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move on, not least because his sale would represent 100% profit. ENZO FERNANDEZ This one is only if the reports that Chelsea’s financial situation is looking sketchy prove to be true. Enzo Fernandez is one of the most valuable members of the Blues’ squad, but if they miss out on European football altogether, there’s a chance he’ll attract outside attention. A hefty transfer fee could be just what Chelsea need to balance the books. LIAM DELAP Not every transfer has to be a success and sometimes it’s better to cut your losses before things spiral out of control. Liam Delap impressed in a team that got relegated last season, but that didn’t mean he’d be a success at Chelsea. Delap has one Premier League goal in 26 appearances this season. Not good enough. Express Newspapers

Ű BY MIGUEL DELANEY

X ABI ALONSO has been con firmed as the new Chelsea manager on a long-term con tract. The Spanish tactician has penned terms on a four-year deal to succeed Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge and will begin his reign on 1 July ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The 44-year-old is likely to lead the Blues in a season without European football after a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City under interim boss Calum McFarlane in the FA Cup final with the side currently ninth in the Premier League with two games remaining. Following his exit at Real Madrid in January, Alonso has reflected on his time in management, which peaked with his Bundesliga triumph at Bayer Leverkusen last year, and has opted for a quick return. Alonso is back in English football, too, having spent five years at Liverpool as a player. And while the Basque man ager’s coaching credentials and poten tial to acquire trophies attracted Chelsea, his character and ability to lead also proved decisive in the proc ess. Alonso said: “Chelsea is one of the

ager and not head coach, a move that signals a slight shift in approach and the increased influence he could have compared to his predecessors. The Spaniard will become the fifth permanent at Stamford Bridge in the BlueCo ownership era, with Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior all coming before him. Alonso will be unveiled shortly after beginning work at the start of July and his first match in charge could be on 28 July, with the scheduled friendly against Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium. The Blues also face Tottenham dur ing their time in Sydney on 1 August, before travelling to Hong Kong and tak ing on Juventus on 5 August, with a friendly against AC Milan also sched uled for 8 August in Jakarta. – The Independent

“He is regarded not only as an out standing football coach, but also as a proven leader and partner across a number of areas essential to the demands of driving the team.” Chelsea also considered Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva with both manag ers also available with their contracts due to expire this summer. Despite assessing the project and taking lessons from both the Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior eras, Chelsea are thought to maintain an ultimate desire to regularly contend for the very biggest prizes in English and European football under Alonso. And Chelsea believe Alonso can do so by building a distinct culture on and off the pitch. Under BlueCo, Chelsea will continue to operate under a collabora tive process, but Alonso’s title is man

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 leader ship, it is clear we share the same ambi tion. 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.” A Chelsea statement said: “His appointment reflects the Club’s belief in his broad set of experiences, coach ing quality and game model, leadership attributes, character and integrity, which were key to the decision to ask him to help lead the next phase of Chelsea’s journey.

Casemiro bids emotional farewell to OT faithful

CASEMIRO (pic) waved goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful for the final time on Sunday, with the Brazil international unable to hide his emotions. He was spot ted looking visibly emotional as he bid a teary farewell to the Manchester United faithful, having originally joined the club in 2022. And he became so choked up that he later skipped a planned farewell press conference. During his time at United, Casemiro was part of the squad that won the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. It wasn’t always perfect, but Casemiro has enjoyed a resurgence in recent months under Michael Carrick and has been influential in the Red Devils securing Champions League qualification. Casemiro was due to speak to mem bers of the media following his on-pitch ceremony, but the ex-Real Madrid ace pulled out at the last minute. It was a deci sion that raised eyebrows in the media room, but all became clear later on when it was announced Casemiro didn’t host his press conference because he was too emotional. It’s said the iconic midfield anchor was struggling to keep himself in check and didn’t think he’d be able to speak coher ently enough. Instead, the 34-year-old

pulled out, but it won’t impact his rela tionship with the fans, who spent the afternoon match against Nottingham Forest chanting his name. He wrote on Instagram : “There are places we pass through in life… and there are places that become part of who we are. Manchester will forever be my home. To the city, the club, and every supporter, my sincerest thank you. “These past four years have been unforgettable, filled with moments my family and I will carry with us for the rest of our lives. There simply aren’t enough words to describe the happiness and warmth we’ve felt here. Thank you for every cheer, every memory, and for mak ing us feel at home from the very first day. Forever a Red Devil.” When asked about Casemiro’s farewell, Michael Carrick told Sky Sports : “Casemiro has been a very good player for a long time. We appreciate everything he has done and especially since I have been here he’s been excellent.“Part of football is that things come to an end and you have to evolve and adapt. There have been big players over the time I’ve been here who have left the club. It’s a challenge but we thank him for everything he’s done.” – Express Newspapers

Hojlund seals permanent switch to Napoli

Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY

was deemed surplus to requirements when United signed three other for wards – Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – last sum mer. The funds United are recouping will help with their summer transfer fund, with Michael Carrick set to target at least two midfielders. Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford while Carrick also confirmed that left back Tyrell Malacia will go when his contract expires this summer. The for mer Feyenoord defender made 49 appearances, but just 10 in the last three seasons. – The Independent

“My childhood dream came true by playing at Old Trafford in a red jersey. So the goal today symbolizes a new confident start, in which I will give eve rything for the time ahead to Napoli, and a thank you to all the fans, players and staff of Manchester United who made the dream I had as a kid come true. It’s time for new dreams, so let’s chase them.” United will make a £26 million (RM138m) loss on Hojlund, who joined for an initial £64 million (RM340m) in 2023. He scored 26 goals in 95 games over two seasons at Old Trafford but

The Denmark international wrote on Instagram : “This goal felt symbolic because it means two things. We now secured Champions League with Napoli, which means because of my contract I’m now officially a Napoli player and I’m saying goodbye to Manchester United. “That feels weird, because for the past year I already feel like a Napoli player. The way you fans supported me, made me feel like home and let me find my confidence again is something I’m so grateful for. To say goodbye to Manchester United is something that kinda feels emotional too.

RASMUS HOJLUND will join Napoli on a permanent deal after his move from Manchester United was confirmed. United will bring in £38 million (RM202m) for the striker when the transfer formally goes through in June after Napoli, who had a conditional obligation to buy him, met the obliga tions by qualifying for the Champions League. Hojlund scored his 15th goal for Napoli in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Pisa which leaves them second with a game to go.