Xabi Alonso has earmarked in-form United wonderkid as Chelsea’s first summer signing – report

Newly-appointed permanent head coach Michael Carrick not only deserves credit for Manchester United’s renaissance on the pitch, but also for helping resuscitate the careers of several first-team stars. None more so than Kobbie Mainoo. The Englishman seemed destined to leave under former head coach Ruben Amorim, who simply did not trust the academy graduate. The Portuguese tactician felt Bruno Fernandes was better suited to playing alongside Casemiro in midfield, which meant the 21-year-old failed to make a single Premier League start under him this season. So disillusioned was the England international that he asked INEOS to let him leave, both in the summer and in January. Kobbie Mainoo turnaround under Carrick There was interest from Napoli and Chelsea, but Carrick’s arrival changed his fortunes completely. Immediately reinstated into the starting line-up, the Carrington graduate exploded into life. So good was Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park that the co-owners resumed contract talks after they had initially stalled, and ultimately agreed a new long-term deal with the Carrington wonderkid. 🔵⚡ EXCL | Alonso’s first signing at Chelsea is expected to be a central midfielder, and sources indicate the profile is very specific. Not a destroyer. Not a playmaker. Alonso wants a box-to-box runner with high pressing output. Someone who covers ground the way Granit Xhaka… pic.twitter.com/4z7Z8Orrwx — THE CHELSEA FORUM (@TheChelseaForum) May 25, 2026 What followed was a winner against Liverpool and a subsequent call-up to England’s World Cup squad. Not even the player could have imagined such a drastic turnaround in such a short span of time. The Stockport-born ace has a contract at The Theatre of Dreams until 2031, but that has not stopped suitors from admiring from afar. Xabi Alonso wants Kobbie Mainoo at Chelsea According to Chelsea Forum on X (formerly Twitter), new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso wants to sign a midfielder when the summer window opens, and the Spaniard has his eyes on United’s No.37. “Alonso’s first signing at Chelsea is expected to be a central midfielder, and sources indicate the profile is very specific. “Not a destroyer. Not a playmaker. Alonso wants a box-to-box runner with high pressing output. Someone who covers ground the way Granit Xhaka did at Leverkusen. “Kobbie Mainoo has been discussed internally. Morgan Rogers as a No.10 option is also on the board. Two very different players but both represent the same core idea, hunger over reputation.” No chance Kobbie Mainoo is leaving There is no way the 20-time English league champions would even entertain such a preposterous idea after the season Kobbie Mainoo just had. The Stamford Bridge side had the chance under Amorim, but blew it. It is time they move on to alternative targets. Feature image Naomi Baker via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25