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4-2-3-1 "genius" is now destined to join Chelsea, he's better than Fabregas & Iraola - opinion

There's a six-year contract up for grabs at Chelsea and several managers are scrambling to get hold of it, even if it does only last 106 days and results in a hefty pay-out courtesy of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

The Blues should be scarred from their Liam Rosenior gamble.

Liam Rosenior record at Strasbourg (timeless)

It was enough to enter a so-called period of "self-reflection" and that could end in the appointment of the manager they've been scrambling for since 2022.

Why Chelsea should avoid Fabregas & Iraola

If BlueCo even dare to get their next managerial decision wrong, then their project will be set back a further two years. They've already spent well over £1bn on recruitment since arriving at Stamford Bridge and Rosenior's sacking only added to that.

For years, Manchester City helped form the narrative that money can equal titles - a narrative initially commenced by Roman Abramovich. But Boehly and Egbhali have since stomped all over that narrative.

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Chelsea could be about to make a move for one top-level manager this summer.

They've proved that, no matter how many 'wonderkids' arrive; no matter how many average wingers arrive; no matter how many managers face the sack, the results can still be damning. And hiring Cesc Fabregas or Andoni Iraola won't change that.

Chelsea, for the first time since BlueCo arrived, need to throw their idea that experience does not matter to one side. They must find the middle ground.

Cesc-Fabregas-Como

As talented as Fabregas is, he's only managed side and that is a Serie A side pushing above their weight to compete in Europe. It's impressive, but it's not guaranteed success at Chelsea.

The same can be said for Iraola. His Bournemouth team are one of the best out-of-possession teams in the Premier League. Chelsea have been outrun in every league game this season.

Under BlueCo's ruthless ownership, the Spaniard would have no time to turn that around. Again, it would be a gamble.

Chelsea should turn to "genius" Alonso this summer

The middle ground is a manager who's dethroned dominant champions and someone who's experienced what a toxic dressing room can do to a tenure.

The middle ground is Xabi Alonso. According to Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss is "destined" to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer.

"The coach who Milan liked as an alternative to [Max] Allegri – a thought from a few months ago – is Xabi Alonso. But he seems destined for Chelsea."

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Many will be quick to point out that his Real Madrid tenure didn't go as planned, but the implosion at the Bernabeu ever since suggests that was always likely to be an impossible job.

Behind the scenes, Alonso faced a rebellious, ill-disciplined dressing room. On the pitch, he won 24 of his 36 games in charge. Whilst certain players won the power struggle in the end, recent months suggest that history will be kind to the Spaniard.

Alonso managerial record

Games

Wins

Draws

Defeats

Crucially, it was during his Real Madrid spell that Alonso showcased some versatility. He didn't turn to the 3-5-2 that turned Leverkusen invincible. Instead, he operated in a 4-2-3-1 system - a formation that the current Chelsea side are certainly familiar with.

It is still worth reflecting on that historic Leverkusen spell, though. He found a side of European calibre struggling to break into Germany's Champions League places.

In half a season, he put an end to that for a start. Then, in his first full season, Alonso dominantly dethroned Bayern Munich.

xabi-alonso-real-madrid

Dubbed a "genius" by presenter and analyst James Allcott, Alonso is the best of both worlds for Chelsea. He is young in age at 44 years old, but only getting richer in experience.

He is a proven project manager, but also has experience on the biggest stage - something which can't yet be said of Fabregas and Iraola, the pair still waiting for a first major honour between them in the dugout.

It wouldn't be the first time that Chelsea have targeted a Liverpool legend. This time, however, they're looking for a turnaround in the technical area rather than in midfield.

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