If Chelsea have any doubts over hiring Xabi Alonso, they won’t now, after some kind words from his former Real Madrid player, Kylian Mbappe.
Chelsea look increasingly set to pull off a major coup by appointing Xabi Alonso as their next permanent manager. Even after Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa sparked fresh speculation about a potential rebuild or managerial shift at Anfield, the Reds appear completely out of the equation.
Negotiations have progressed, and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy has reportedly taken the unprecedented step of agreeing to Alonso’s demands for greater control over player recruitment.
Everything is now perfectly aligned for the appointment to accelerate immediately after the FA Cup final against Manchester City, which hopefully results in European football.
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Kylian Mbappe praises Xabi Alonso after his Real Madrid exit
Not many would have expected to hear from Kylian Mbappe on the potential Chelsea manager, given that he’s no longer in charge at Real Madrid.
However, speaking via Fabrizio Romano, Mbappe gave a nod to Alonso, who he seems to have a lot of time for, despite what went on in Madrid.
“I have a great relationship with Xabi Alonso.
“He will be a GREAT manager. Everyone knows what I think about him”.
This comes after progress in talks between Alonso and Chelsea, with the Spaniard increasingly likely to become the next manager at Stamford Bridge.
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Kylian Mbappe and Xabi Alonso’s time together at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe’s brief time playing under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid forged a strong mutual respect, despite the chaotic nature of the Spanish giants’ trophyless campaign.
Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti but was dismissed in January, implemented a clear tactical identity that Mbappe thrived under during the first half of the season.
If one of the biggest names in world football is singing your praises, then you must be doing something right. And that’s exactly the kind of response we need from the big-name players at Chelsea, such as Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and others.
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