Over the last couple of days, it has emerged that Xabi Alonso is the preferred candidate among the Chelsea hierarchy to take over at Stamford Bridge. Now, Fabrizio Romano has the latest.
For a while, the three front-runners to take over from Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane has included Alonso. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva were also under serious consideration.
Xabi Alonso is the BEST candidate for the Chelsea job 👌
Xabi Alonso rumour graphic
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Reports claim that Chelsea have internally discussed as many as 20 managers. Others like Oliver Glasner, Fabian Hurzeler, Francesco Farioli and Niko Kovac have also been linked with taking the Chelsea job.
But during a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, in what was an improved performance from Chelsea that ended a run of six straight league losses, Romano delivered an update on Chelsea’s pursuit of Alonso.
Fabrizio Romano ‘guarantee’ as Chelsea look to convince Alonso
Before the game against Liverpool, reports from Italy said that Alonso had turned down the AC Milan job because Alonso was ‘destined’ for Stamford Bridge. Then, it appeared that Alonso was Chelsea’s no.1.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel on Saturday, Romano then gave an update on the latest Alonso claims that he had become Chelsea’s preferred candidate to take over from McFarlane come the summer.
“At the moment, I can guarantee there is still nothing advanced or concrete on this one. Xabi Alonso is a big name, available on the market and is ready to restart another chapter if he can find the right project.
“But at the moment, still nothing advanced with any club.”
Why Jamie Carragher has dismissed Chelsea links with Alonso
Alonso remains out of work, having been sacked by Real Madrid, with many reports at the time claiming that Madrid’s key players were not convinced with the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder.
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Thibaut Courtois dismissed those reports at the time, claiming the Madrid squad was fully behind Alonso. But Jamie Carragher is convinced that Alonso won’t take the Chelsea job, because of his Liverpool past.
Hurzeler and Farioli have been wiped off the shortlist after deciding to remain at both Brighton and Porto, while Iraola looks set to become the next Crystal Palace boss. It all hinges on whether Alonso is interested.
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