Chelsea have been given an early reminder of the task facing Xabi Alonso after Andreas Schjelderup reportedly cooled interest in a move to Stamford Bridge.
FootballTransfers reports that Chelsea made an enquiry for the Benfica winger and held discussions over a possible summer deal.
The response was not encouraging. Schjelderup is said to want Champions League football next season, which Chelsea cannot offer after their poor 2025/26 campaign.
Transfer News Live also reported that Chelsea had joined the race for the 22-year-old, who has been valued at around €45m.
Benfica are under no pressure to make this easy. Schjelderup is under contract until 2028 and has already attracted interest from other major clubs.
For Chelsea, this is the awkward part of Alonso’s first summer. His appointment has lifted the mood around the project, but it cannot immediately replace the pull of Champions League football.
ReadChelsea has already looked at the control test facing Alonso at the start of his reign. Schjelderup’s stance shows how that challenge now stretches into recruitment.
Chelsea can still offer money, Premier League exposure and a manager with real pull.
The harder job is convincing targets that the rebuild is worth joining before it has delivered results.
