The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing, and let's be thankful that FSG were indecisive while the season was still ongoing, and Chelsea managed to hire Xabi Alonso before Liverpool sacked Arne Slot.
It's been a season to forget for the west Londoners, who have ceded their place in European competition for the second time in four years within the BlueCo regime.
But Alonso's appointment could be the start of something special, having ended Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance and secured an invincible domestic double in 2023/24. Even at turbulent Real Madrid earlier this season, the Spaniard was getting points on the board.
Xabi Alonso record at Real Madrid (timeless)
He does have to deal with Enzo Fernandez's desire to leave Stamford Bridge for a fresh challenge this summer, and it's important that the Blues don't let that one dominate transfer discourse over the duration of the market.
Chelsea in talks to sign Fernandez replacement
All is not well at Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have finished the season without silverware, and the powers that be demand big changes this summer ahead of Jose Mourinho's return.
Fernandez is emerging as a priority target for Los Blancos, but Chelsea's £120m price tag has thus far acted as a deterrent for potential suitors, with Arsenal and Manchester City also keen.
Cole Palmer's regression this season has emphasised the need for fresh creative quality. Fernandez's departure will only exacerbate this, but the club have got their sights set on a replacement who could dovetail right into this new project.
As per reports in Spain, Alonso has remained in regular contact with Arda Guler, eager to bring the Turkish attacking midfielder over to west London and make him the centrepiece of his on-the-ball system.
Arda Guler for Real Madrid
Valued at £87m by the Spanish giants, Guler is one of the most talented young players in the world, and he has the potential to become an iconic figure for Chelsea, perhaps emulating Juan Mata.
Why Guler can be Chelsea's new Juan Mata
Guler is still young, but he has accomplished a lot in the Spanish capital; a modern and versatile playmaker, there is certainly something Mata-esque about his style, even called the "best CM/AM prospect in world football right now" by journalist Neal Gardner.
Alonso helped to remould Guler into a central playmaker at the start of the season, drawing him away from the right attacking flank. In La Liga, he scored four goals and supplied nine assists across only 25 starts,
You could say that Mata hit the peak of his playmaking powers during his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring 33 goals and providing 53 assists across 153 games in all competitions.
Like Guler, he has managed to flourish in central and wide attacking positions, deft and skilful. Alonso would have the luxury of deploying him across a range of different positions.
Arda Guler's Career Stats by Position
Position
Attacking midfield
Right winger
Central midfield
Left winger
Centre-forward
Mata left Chelsea for Manchester United in a £37m deal in January 2014, but he probably regretted leaving a Blues side in their halcyon years. Now, the glory days could return with Alonso at the helm, and it's worth noting that he has been given far more power than his predecessors.
There is a reason that he is determined to sign Guler this summer. The Turkey international is among the most talented playmakers in the world, with the substance and style to emulate someone like Mata and lead Chelsea to riches.
juan-mata-chelsea
Juan Mata for Chelsea.
Whether Chelsea pay up remains to be seen; Real Madrid are undoubtedly going to play hardball, with Guler contracted to the Santiago Bernabeu until 2029.
But Chelsea have something that the Spanish giants want: Fernandez. This could all work out for a fresh Chelsea project, looking to reannounce themselves as a European superpower with one of the sharpest tactical minds at the helm.
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