Xabi Alonso, recently appointed head coach of Chelsea, has been caught off guard by unexpected developments in the transfer market. Reports indicate that the manager was not aware of discussions surrounding Marc Cucurella’s transfer to Real Madrid until he saw a post by insider Fabrizio Romano on X.
The news of Cucurella’s departure has come as a significant shock to Alonso, as the 27-year-old defender was regarded as a key player for the London club. During the 2025/26 season, Cucurella made 50 appearances, scoring once and providing four assists for Chelsea.
Real Madrid has acquired Cucurella for a reported fee of €55 million, marking a surprising turn in the transfer window for both Chelsea and their new head coach.
This unexpected move raises questions about team dynamics as Alonso begins to establish his tenure at Chelsea amidst these transitional challenges.