Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
If pre-season taught us anything about Xabi Alonso, it is that the Spaniard is willing to use Chelsea’s academy. It might not be the case when the Premier League season starts, but one may be promoted.
Alonso has given the likes of Reggie Walsh, Reggie Watson, Tayo Subuloye and Dastan Satpayev game time out in Australia. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has had the chance to impress in the city he was born in.
Player ratings vs Tottenham
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Whether any of these youngsters get a chance beyond pre-season and into the new campaign, when things become competitive, remains to be seen. Chelsea have a huge squad, and opportunity is limited.
But Jesse Derry and Josh Acheampong are recent examples of Chelsea promoting their own, despite the signings they also make at such a young age. Now, Alonso is considering another to add to that list.
Xabi Alonso considering promotion for Landon Emenalo
According to a report from TeamTalk, Alonso is ‘seriously considering’ giving Landon Emenalo the chance to make a name for himself in the first team next season. Alonso has been seriously impressed by him.
The American-born left-back, son of former Chelsea sporting director Michael Emenalo, started against Western Sydney and was one of Alonso’s best players in the first half. Left-back has been left rather void.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
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The Blues have sold Marc Cucurella, and while a deal for Pep Chavarria is gathering some momentum, Chelsea still lack options on the left. Jorrel Hato is a left-back, but was better at centre-back last season.
It does give Emenalo a bit of opportunity to move up the pecking order, and his form throughout pre-season has caught Alonso’s eye. The Chelsea manager could now establish Emenalo at senior level.
It’s not just what Emenalo has been doing on the pitch
On the pitch, Emenalo has caught the eye with his impressive performances. His technical ability, his confidence, his willingness to get forward and join the attack have really caught the eye among fans.
But off the pitch, Emenalo has been attempting to catch Alonso’s eye, too. The left-back is said to have been watching Alonso’s previous spells in management, trying to understand his new manager’s tactics.
Everything points towards Emenalo getting a chance in a Chelsea shirt next season. But if Chelsea do a deal for Chavarria, it would be a whole lot harder for Emenalo to get any minutes come next season.