Gus Poyet knows all about what it takes to succeed at Chelsea. Having joined the club as a free agent in 1997, he went on to win five trophies during his four years at the club before leaving in 2001. Of course, that was not his only taste of success during his playing days.
Poyet won a Copa America with Uruguay. He was also the best player in his position at the tournament. He also won a couple of trophies at Real Zaragoza in Spain.
Poyet’s penchant for winning silverware remained, even after he hung up his boots. He has a toal won four trophies as a manager, at three different clubs. He has also managed Greece at the international level. Currently, he is managing Al-Khaleej.
So, Poyet is someone who knows the game inside out. And I, on behalf of Read Chelsea, had the chance to talk to him about the club’s recent appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new manager.
Speaking exclusively to [Read Chelsea](https://readchelsea.com/) via freebets.com, the home of best [betting sites](https://www.freebets.com/betting-sites/), Poyet discussed extensively about Alonso and what his appointment could mean for the Blues.
**Read Chelsea**: Last time we talked in April, Liam Rosenior was still the manager. Now, Xabi Alonso has just been announced. The sixth permanent one in four years. How do you view these constant changes at Chelsea?
**Poyet**: t’s really difficult one for the Club and also players as well. You will think twice before joining a club like Chelsea if a manager is going to be gone before the end of the season. And for Chelsea, it’s happened a few times. So it’s really not a good way to be at all. Maresca delivered success and it was a shame to see him leave as you could see what he was looking to achieve and delivered a few pieces of silverware to the club.
**Read Chelsea**: Do you think Xabi Alonso is the right manager for Chelsea?
**Poyet**: Absolutely yes. Really good appointment and also a really good time to appoint a new manager before the end of the season and then he can get to meet all the players before they go to the World Cup and can then look to quickly decide who he wants to keep and who he is happy to let go. So this is a huge positive. In terms of Alonso, I knew him as a player and you could see he could go on to be a coach, and he is an excellent choice.
**Read Chelsea**: Would his recent failure at Real Madrid be a worry or is that not going to affect Chelsea at all?
**Poyet**: I hope not and I don’t think so. I believe his success at Leverkusen was excellent. He needs to decide how he wants to play and then look to quickly identify what players he needs in key positions and then build a team around them. He knows the challenges of the Premier League, he knows the intensity of it as well. Real Madrid is a different Club altogether and maybe it was a little bit too early, but when it’s offered, you can’t turn it down.
**Read Chelsea**: What do Chelsea need to give Alonso for him to be a success?
**Poyet**: Champions League football is vitally important for Xabi Alonso to deliver via the League next season. With likely a Europa League conference at best for Chelsea, they will have to do well in the Premier League, so Top 4 would be the number 1 target and a domestic cup competition as well. Playing entertaining football and seeing players show ambition on the pitch too. Chelsea can’t afford not to be in the Champions League and with no big European football next year, Alonso can really focus on the League.
**Read Chelsea**: There has been talk of Chelsea giving Alonso more power when it comes to transfers and football matters. How much does that help a manager?
**Poyet**: This is very important and I believe one of the reasons he would have taken the job. Looking at what he did at Leverkusen, he knew the players he wanted and then his success was very good in Germany. So, he will know the type of players he wants, I am sure he would have identified a few players he wants in and a number of existing players he also wants to build the team around. But he may well have to sell in order to get these players in he wants. But yes, it massively helps a manager if you know the player you’re bringing in as you’re very likely to have a good relationship with them.
**Read Chelsea**: Where do you see Chelsea finishing next season under Alonso?
**Poyet**: With no major European football, I believe in Alonso and if he can get the squad he wants, then Chelsea can get a Top 4 position next season. Man Utd will improve, Arsenal, Man City will be competitive, and of course Liverpool will believe top 4 is possible, so it will be massively tough, but he’s a top coach, so top 4 is possible.