Xabi Alonso could be appointed as Chelsea’s new manager, with the Spaniard now seemingly the favourite to replace Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea have already held talks with Alonso, and it is thought that he impressed them during those discussions.
Whoever takes charge of the Blues next season will want reinforcements after seeing how much the team struggled this term.
If it is Alonso, the 44-year-old has to raid one of Chelsea’s Premier League rivals for one of his former players.
Xabi Alonso or Cesc Fabregas… Who are you taking?👀
Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso for Chelsea manager
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Chelsea should sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland
At Arsenal, Granit Xhaka came under a lot of scrutiny. However, he has transformed his image since then and could be a really good addition to a Chelsea side managed by Alonso.
Xhaka was a key player for Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, playing an integral role in the German club’s title-winning season in 2024.
Xhaka and Co did not lose a single game in the Bundesliga as they went on to end Bayern Munich’s dominance of the German top division.
The former Arsenal man is now at Sunderland, where he has thrived this season. Xhaka is a good passer of the ball and a real leader.
Xhaka is currently Sunderland’s captain and also wore the armband when he was at Arsenal. The Switzerland international is now 33 years of age and has made 257 appearances in the Premier League.
He has also won almost 150 caps for his country. Simply put, Xhaka is the kind of player Chelsea’s dressing room is currently lacking.
Granit Xhaka of Sunderland has a shot on goal
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Granit Xhaka’s stats under Xabi Alonso
Alonso is thought to have a positive view of Chelsea’s squad, but he would surely still welcome the addition of an experienced pro like Xhaka.
In total, the Sunderland skipper made 99 appearances under him. He scored six goals and registered nine assists across those games.
Xhaka is clearly a player whom Alonso trusts. He knows the Liverpool legend’s system well, so that would be an added bonus to bringing him in this summer.
Of course, after guaranteeing Premier League survival, Sunderland will not want to lose Xhaka in the upcoming transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong at right wing-back? Reece James in central defence? Let Xabi Alonso cook! 🔥
TalkingPoints user on Jeremie Frimpong
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Who Granit Xhaka could replace at Chelsea
The arrival of Xhaka or another midfielder at Stamford Bridge could spell the end for Romeo Lavia or Andrey Santos, if not both.
It has been claimed that Chelsea are open to selling Lavia and Santos this summer. Lavia has had a lot of injury problems in west London, while Santos is likely to fall down the pecking order now that Liam Rosenior is gone.
Santos was a favourite of Rosenior’s after the two worked closely together at Strasbourg.
Lavia perhaps has more technical ability than Xhaka. The way he can manipulate the ball while under pressure and in tight spaces is incredible.
But his injury history means he is not as reliable as Xhaka, who is on the pitch captaining his side each week.
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