Xabi Alonso’s appointment might be the most popular decision Chelsea have made during the BlueCo era. But for it to mean something, they now need to go out and back the Spaniard with the right signings in the summer transfer window. Will they be able to do that? One would hope so. But without any Champions League football and record losses, it will be difficult to pull off.
Chelsea will be hoping that Alonso’s pull helps them get some quality players. It is expected that he would at least try to reunite with some of his favourites from his previous two clubs.
Alonso spent a very successful period at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the first and only Invincible Bundesliga title in history. So, one would imagine he has plenty of players whom he might want at Chelsea from there. But it might a bit more difficult when it comes to Real Madrid, where the Spaniard did not even last a season.
But according to Marca, Chelsea’s hierarchy are aware that Alonso’s personal relationships with players could play a major role in shaping recruitment decisions. Reports suggest that he is already identifying those he believes can elevate the squad, and Arda Guler is understood to be high on that list.
Arda Guler linked with Chelsea move to reunite with Xabi Alonso
It is worth pointing out that Guler was not a mainstay for Real Madrid during the Carlo Ancelotti era. He was always highly regarded. But chances had been scattered.
It is Alonso who saw him as a regular starter and handed him that role. To be fair to Guler, he did take it with both hands and did a great job.
So, it is not hard to see why Alonso might be interested in a reunion with Guler. But there are two questions that will need to be answered before any move takes place.
First, would Guler be interested in leaving Real Madrid right now? Second, do Chelsea even need him at this point?
What does the future hold for Guler?
Yes, Alonso did give the big break to Guler at Real Madrid. But that does not mean that he would leave a stable starting spot at Real Madrid to join him at Chelsea. That would be an unfair expectation to set.
Guler has continued to play a key role for Real Madrid, even after Alonso left. Of course, the club will have a new manager in the summer. And that could go a long way in determining his long-term future there.
Chelsea might not need Guler’s profile either. They already have Cole Palmer and Estevao. Geovany Quenda is set to come in as well.
That would be far too many players who can do almost the same things. There are other positions at Chelsea which are in more immediate need of strengthening.
Sourav Mahanty
Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow. Outside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.
View all articles →