Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge
Xabi Alonso has taken the helm as Chelsea’s new manager, marking him as the sixth permanent manager for the club in four years since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover. His appointment follows a period of significant managerial changes at Stamford Bridge, with previous managers Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior not receiving the same fanfare as his unveiling. The club’s decision to grant him the title of “manager” rather than “head coach” suggests concessions were made to secure his services, indicating a more hands-on role in club operations, including transfer policy.
During his unveiling, photos of past successful managers like José Mourinho and Antonio Conte holding Premier League trophies were prominently displayed, underscoring the high expectations. Alonso, known for his playing career with Liverpool and his coaching success at Bayer Leverkusen, acknowledged the need for “proper talks” before committing to a club that finished 10th in the Premier League last season and will not participate in European football for at least a year.
Addressing squad challenges and future plans
Alonso expressed optimism about the team’s potential, stating, “I don’t think that we need to change everything. It’s about changing a few things and that can work.” He believes the squad requires tweaks rather than a major overhaul. He has already begun working with some players, including Cole Palmer, who he described as “special” and a potential key player if he maintains fitness and a positive attitude. Palmer’s recent decline was highlighted by his absence from the England World Cup squad.
The new manager has also addressed the situation surrounding midfielder Enzo Fernández, whose future at the club has been the subject of intense speculation. Despite reports linking Fernández with a move away, Alonso stated that the player wants to stay and expects him to return to training after the World Cup. The club’s squad has been criticised for its youth, lack of leadership, and disciplinary issues, evidenced by Chelsea’s 11th red card of the season on the final day against Sunderland, a new club record.
The club has been active in reshaping the squad, with several players departing. Marc Cucurella moved to Real Madrid for £52m, Andrey Santos joined Manchester United for £50m, and Tyrique George signed for Everton for £18m. Additionally, Alejandro Garnacho, who arrived less than a year ago, is expected to leave, having been absent from training as the club seeks a buyer. To bolster the team, Chelsea has signed Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47m and teenager Geovany Quenda from Sporting for £44m.
Collaborative approach and high ambitions
Alonso is working closely with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, describing their collaboration as “aligned” on decisions and goal achievement. He acknowledged the need for further activity in the transfer market to reinforce the squad, aiming to have a team capable of competing in every game by the start of the campaign on 24 August. He refrained from commenting on specific transfer rumours, such as a potential reunion with Granit Xhaka.
The manager is confident in his ability to instill a strong mentality and culture within the club, despite the club’s history of frequent managerial changes. He highlighted the challenge of competing against other managers from his region, such as Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, and Andoni Iraola, who are currently managing in the Premier League. Alonso‘s first Premier League season in 18 years is on the horizon, with high ambitions for the upcoming campaign.
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Source: theguardian.com
Sam Whitlock is a Sports News Writer at News-GB.org. He moved from local newspapers into digital sport. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Gloucestershire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Gloucester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight game. “Clarity beats cleverness in breaking sport news.”