Xabi Alonso has accepted the role as Chelsea manager for next season, and is already making demands about who his key players are going to be.
The news was announced moments after Chelsea were defeated in the FA Cup final by Manchester City 1-0.
Calum McFarlane admitted he was proud of his players as he led them out for one of the final times before leaving his interim post at the end of the season.
Has Xabi Alonso chosen the right TWO players to build his Chelsea team around?🤔
Xabi Alonso wants to keep Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Xabi Alonso wants to keep Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella
Reports have claimed that Alonso has signed a four-year deal with the club, and will have been paying attention to the final as he eyes up his future squad.
Journalist Simon Phillips has reported that after speaking with the squad, Alonso has made it clear that he wants to keep hold of Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez going into next season.
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
He said: “Chelsea and Xabi Alonso have agreed a contract and length of contract. All parties now working to get it sealed ASAP. Alonso speaking to Chelsea players and wants to keep Cucurella and Fernandez.”
The higher effort levels put in suggested that some of those players felt as if they were playing for their places in the squad next season.
Chelsea have also operated in a back three for the previous two games, a system Alonso is familiar with from his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
There were a number of questionable calls from VAR and Darren England🤔
Chelsea penalty incident during FA Cup final against Man City
Via – ITV Live Coverage
Alonso’s concerns addressed by Chelsea
Alonso’s camp raised concerns over how previous Chelsea managers had been treated, with many seeing the treatment of Enzo Maresca as unfair.
It appears assurances have been made though, and the Blues are prepared to hand more control to their incoming manager than ever before.
Reports also claimed that Alonso wanted two new centre-backs to be signed by the club, likely to complement Levi Colwill.
The England international gave everyone a timely reminder of his quality in the FA Cup final, and will be a key player in the years to come.
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