Xabi Alonso starts as Chelsea manager in just over a month's time and the Spanish coach has a huge list of things he is tasked with improving at Stamford Bridge
11:15, 29 May 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso(Image: Europa Press)
After a dismal 2025/26 season came to a welcome end for Chelsea on Sunday evening, the next couple of months will be a chance for some supporters to recharge their batteries.
In terms of club football, anyway, with the World Cup starting next month. However, for some fans, July 1 cannot come quickly enough. Xabi Alonso begins his role as Chelsea manager in just over a month's time, with the Spaniard starting his four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Such a miserable season last time out has perhaps piled more pressure on Alonso's shoulders. Patience is required in order for the highly-rated young coach to work his magic, however these things do not happen overnight.
With all of this being said, football.london takes a look at what is on Alonso's to-do list when he officially begins work at Cobham.
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Three deals (at least) completed in transfer window
Prior to Alonso's name even being mentioned from a Chelsea perspective, there were plans in place ahead of this summer's transfer window. Fortunately, sources say Alonso, who will be given more power than his predecessors when it comes to recruitment, is aligned with the club's sporting leadership team on their plans in the upcoming window.
Chelsea are prioritising three key areas: centre-back, central midfield and the left wing. The Blues want to add three starting-level players, at least, to Alonso's squad. While searching for the perfect candidates, there is a slightly different criteria they will be required to meet.
football.london understands Chelsea are looking to add ready-made players with Premier League/top-level experience. BlueCo want Alonso to build a culture at Stamford Bridge, with the right personalities/character types coming through the door - including players who can turn adversity into a positive.
Instilling belief into the Chelsea squad
It is no secret that multiple Chelsea players became disillusioned with the goings-on at Stamford Bridge last season. Enzo Fernandez came out and criticised the club for what happened with former head coach Enzo Maresca. Marc Cucurella did similar; with both key players coming out and publicly criticising their employers, while also flirting with moves away this summer.
Fast forward a couple of months and Fernandez has expressed his desire to depart the Blues before the start of next season, even with the lure of Alonso. Chelsea would prefer to keep the Real Madrid-linked Argentina international around, however the west Londoners will not stand in the midfielder's way should they receive a £120million offer.
Cucurella continues to be linked with an exit as well. Atletico Madrid are said to be in for the Spain international. It will be interesting to see what impact, if any, Alonso's arrival will have on Cucurella and any other unhappy/unsure players. From the outside, attracting someone of Alonso's calibre is quite the coup from a Chelsea perspective.
Get Palmer firing again
For Alonso, a tough decision awaits on Cole Palmer. Where does he play the England international as he looks to get Chelsea's talisman firing again? If successful in doing that, there are no limits for this Blues side.
If the incoming Chelsea manager adopts the three-back system he was so successful with during his days at Bayer Leverkusen, Palmer could be set for a role as one of the 'wide' No.10s - a position Florian Wirtz excelled in under Alonso. On paper, it seems like a role that would suit Palmer given it's almost halfway between a winger and a No.10 - two positions he floats around in at Stamford Bridge.
From Chelsea's point of view, Palmer is untouchable and not for sale this summer despite speculation linking him with a return to Manchester. Bar an extraordinary turn of events, the 24-year-old will be in a Blues shirt next season and the prospect of him working under such a talented coach in Alonso is an exciting one for supporters.
Building a defensive structure
During his time with Leverkusen, Alonso got the very best out of his attacking players, however there was also an emphasis on the defensive side of things. Throughout the course of their unbeaten 2023/24 campaign, Alonso's team conceded just 24 goals. The next closest in that regard were second-place Stuttgart, who shipped 39 goals.
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Sir Alex Ferguson once said, "a good attack will win you games, but a good defence will win you titles", a sentiment shared by Alonso. Alonso, during his time at Real Madrid, said similar: "Defence is a fundamental part of our identity. Defence wins titles."
Chelsea's defensive record in the 2025/26 season was shocking. The Blues conceded 52 goals this term - nine more than the 2024/25 campaign. Something desperately needs to change and Alonso, with the help of his trusted coaching staff, needs to figure out the solution in his debut season. Or at least make improvements.