Xabi Alonso delivers verdict on Chelsea 'bomb squad': 'Not an issue'

Xabi Alonso has hit back at the suggestion Chelsea has revived its infamous bomb squad, insisting his squad is simply working in “different groups”.

A number of Chelsea players who are expected to leave the club this summer have spent the past week training in a separate group, with transfer-listed strikers Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap among their number.

Also featuring in the separate group are Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk, both loan-listed, while summer signings Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck are also training apart in a bid to build up their fitness.

The separate group is reminiscent of the ‘bomb squad’ approach employed by Enzo Maresca, where players deemed surplus to requirements, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana and Disasi included, were banished for months on end and made to use academy facilities. The players involved lodged complaints about their treatment with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Mykhailo Mudryk is among the first-team Chelsea players training in a separate group (Getty)

Alonso’s approach to the separate group is less harsh, with those players involved training on the same pitch as the first-team and using the same facilities.

“We are managing well with group dynamics,” Alonso said at a press conference on Thursday. “Whenever we need, we have different groups, so it's not been an issue at the moment.”

Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto have all been linked with transfers away from Chelsea this summer, but it is understood all three are training with Alonso’s main group.

Summer signing Jordan Henderson is said to be training separately as he looks to build up to match fitness (Getty)

Chelsea are expected to focus much of their energy on outgoings for the remainder of the transfer window, with the club’s website currently listing 39 players as part of the first team. A Premier League squad can only feature 25.

Of the six strikers named, Marc Guiu, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson all seem set to depart, leaving Emmanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro to lead the line in the Premier League.

The Blues also have four first-team goalkeepers on the books, as well as ten centre-backs. That number should come down in the coming days, though, with Benoit Badiashile expected to complete a loan move to Napoli.

The summer transfer window closes at 11pm BST on September 2.