As Chelsea continue their search for a new manager, it is quite clear that Xabi Alonso ticks almost every box.
When Chelsea first appointed Alonso’s former boss Jose Mourinho in 2004, he gave the club an identity.
The Blues became an outfit renowned for being defensively solid under Mourinho, and they maintained their reputation as an impregnable side long after he left.
With that in mind, even though Alonso is a Liverpool legend, he could end up being the perfect manager for Chelsea and another Mourinho.
Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso gestures next to AS Roma's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho
Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso wanted Real Madrid to be defensively solid
When Mourinho went to Real Madrid, he also made them a tough team to break down, and Alonso had the same vision for his Los Blancos side.
Early into his reign at the club, Alonso told Real Madrid’s official website: “Defensive solidity and discipline are fundamental and something we’ve tried to transmit from the start.
“The lads are eager and willing and that’s essential. They’re keen to absorb what the people who have come from Germany are asking of them.”
Xabi Alonso just screams Chelsea manager 😍
Xabi Alonso quote
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images
That kind of philosophy rarely goes down well at the Santiago Bernabeu, with supporters wanting to see their Galactico signings tear teams apart en route to winning the biggest trophies in football.
What Alonso tried to do at Real Madrid simply did not work, hence his sacking and availability, which Chelsea are trying to take advantage of.
Alonso is in contention to replace Liam Rosenior in the Stamford Bridge dugout, whether Chelsea qualify for Europe or not.
Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea could look a lot like Jose Mourinho’s and Antonio Conte’s
Based on his philosophy, then, Alonso’s Chelsea could end up sharing a lot of similarities with Mourinho’s if the Spaniard does move to west London.
In terms of shape, a Chelsea team under Alonso could be identical to Antonio Conte’s Premier League-winning side.
In the 2016/17 season, Chelsea won the title playing a 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation, which is the same system Alonso used at Bayer Leverkusen when they claimed the Bundesliga trophy two years ago.
What will Xabi Alonso go with if he gets the Chelsea job, a back three or back four? 🧐
Chelsea's potential XI under Xabi Alonso
Out of all the names who are currently available, Alonso is easily the manager who suits Chelsea the most. It would be a huge setback if the club cannot get this one over the line.
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