Translation result.
[MyDaily = Reporter Choi Byung-jin] Chelsea is exploring a move for Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), a protege of manager Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea officially announced Alonso’s appointment on the club’s website on the 17th of last month (Korean time).
The club began the 2025–26 season under Enzo Maresca. After Maresca was dismissed following clashes with senior club officials, Liam Rosenior was appointed as his replacement. Rosenior left before completing a full season amid poor results and additional off-field issues.
Chelsea finished eighth in the English Premier League and missed out on European qualification. In their search for a new manager, the club signed Alonso, who had left Real Madrid midway through last season.
Chelsea plans to rebuild the squad around Alonso, which has sparked surprise links to Wirtz. British outlet TeamTalk reported on the 31st that “since appointing Alonso, Chelsea has targeted Wirtz and is exploring ways to sign him.”
Wirtz, a German attacking midfielder, is prized for his technique and creativity. He rose through Bayer Leverkusen’s academy and broke into the first team amid high expectations. Notably, he played under Alonso during the 2023–24 season as Leverkusen completed an unbeaten Bundesliga title run.
Wirtz moved to Liverpool in last summer’s transfer window for a reported €150 million fee (approximately 264 billion KRW (about $198,000,000), approximately $160,500,000). He arrived with huge expectations but struggled to adapt to the Premier League early on. In his first season he managed 5 goals and 4 assists in 33 league appearances, and 7 goals and 10 assists across 49 matches in all competitions.
TeamTalk says Chelsea hopes to reunite Alonso and Wirtz, but Liverpool are said to be intent on keeping the midfielder and will reject any approach.
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