Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 23 April 2026 11:30, UK

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Chelsea would have a significant advantage in the race to sign Marcos Senesi this summer if they choose to appoint Andoni Iraola.

The 28-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season, with the Blues among several Premier League giants chasing his signature.

Iraola will also be free to join a new club this summer and is among the favourites to replace Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, after he was sacked on Wednesday.

The Englishman’s tenure lasted for just four months, and ended after a fifth consecutive Premier League loss without scoring on Tuesday.

A number of options are in the race to be Chelsea’s next manager, but Iraola would appear best placed to take the role.

Marcos Senesi proves value vs Leeds United

Tottenham are in advanced talks to sign Senesi ahead of the summer, but the race remains open amid the threat of relegation facing the North London club.

The 28-year-old has been with Bournemouth since signing from Feyenoord in 2022, but had been ousted from the team last season.

Senesi’s significant hamstring injury and the emergence of Dean Huijsen saw the Argentine make just 17 Premier League appearances.

But last summer saw both Huijsen and Ilia Zabarnyi leave the club for big money, allowing Senesi to return to partner the emerging James Hill.

The pair have formed a superb defensive unit that may well see Bournemouth achieve their highest-ever Premier League finish this season, with the 28-year-old key to Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Leeds United.

Senesi claimed a brilliant assist for Eli Junior Kroupi’s opener, winning the ball back on the halfway line before driving forward and playing the ball through perfectly for the striker.

The defender would have been frustrated to concede twice, but he dealt with all that came his way.

Senesi could follow Andoni Iraola

It has been clear for some time that Senesi was to leave Bournemouth this summer, but Iraola’s future has only recently been clarified.

He is yet to confirm that he will pursue a new job for next season, either, although rumours would suggest that he is simply taking his time ahead of a big decision.

Senesi has developed massively under Iraola, and there is a good chance that the Argentine follows his Bournemouth manager to his next club.

Chelsea had already shown interest in the centre-back, and they would enjoy a big advantage in the race for his signature if they appointed the 43-year-old.

Senesi’s performance on Wednesday confirmed one thing – he is more than capable of taking the step up in his career.