Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea FC gestures
Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea FC gestures
Have we seen BlueCo back a manager the way they have with Xabi Alonso since taking over Chelsea?
Maybe Thomas Tuchel, but that was before a real sporting structure was put in place at Chelsea. The others pretty much had to accept whichever players were signed and could do very little about those who were sold.
However, it has been a very different story for Alonso so far as he closes in on another player on his shortlist.
Xabi Alonso graphic
Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty
Chelsea are set to sign Pep Chavarria, who is a “key target” for Alonso, according to BBC Sport.
Chavarria’s arrival will see him join Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson at Stamford Bridge.
True, the Blues were interested in signing Rogers long before they appointed Alonso as manager, but it is believed that the Spaniard also signed off on that transfer.
Alonso also wanted to sign his former player Granit Xhaka to add more experience to this Chelsea squad. That never happened in the end, but with Henderson and Welbeck having just as much experience as Xhaka, that suggests Alonso also had a say on those arrivals.
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Split image - Chelsea unveil new signing Jordan Henderson and Granit Xhaka of Sunderland applauds
Ultimately, the 44-year-old wanted more experience and a new left-back following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid and has got just that during this transfer window.
All in all, Chelsea’s defence and attack look much stronger with the additions of Lacroix and Rogers, while there is now so much more experience in this squad. What excuses can a coach as talented as Alonso have for not finishing in the top four with this team? The answer is none.
Champions League qualification has to be the bare minimum, while it would also be good to see the club finally end their domestic cup final curse.
They lost another FA Cup final last season after losing 1-0 to Manchester City at Wembley. Hopefully Alonso can deliver both silverware and Champions League football in the new campaign.