Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea legend John Terry has had his first conversations with new manager Xabi Alonso, and has been left very impressed with what he has seen from him.
Alonso was seen as a major coup for Chelsea after their 10th-placed finish last season, and he is deep in preparation now for the new season.
Chelsea players have spoken well of Alonso and his early training sessions, and the mood is high ahead of their first Premier League game of the season against Fulham.
Chelsea's pre-season results
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John Terry gets a ‘great feeling’ from Xabi Alonso at Chelsea
With the Blues back at Cobham, Terry had the opportunity to speak to Alonso and get a gauge of what he will bring to the club he spent the majority of his playing career at.
The Englishman took to his TikTok to state that he has been won over by the Spaniard early, saying he got a ‘great feeling’ from him.
Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
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He said: “Really like him. Loved him as a player. I met him very recently as well at the training ground, and got a great feeling from him, just having conversations with the boys. I know it’s early days as well but the boys are speaking really positive of him and the sessions that he’s doing.
“I also think the market, and where Chelsea are at right now, I do think he’s the best that we could have got. To have someone so young, ambitious, who’s also going to relate to the players, I think is the key thing in this.
“It’s nice to see him take charge [of transfers], and it feels like over the last couple of years we’ve missed that bit of experience, and we’ve got that in the building now with Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.”
Xabi Alonso on Marco Palestra
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Praise from Terry is tough to come by
Terry wants the best for Chelsea, and up until last season had ambitions of becoming at least the interim manager of the club.
The Blues legend was critical of Liam Rosenior straight after he took the role, and his time in charge lasted just three months before he was sacked.
Chelsea have put a lot of faith in Alonso with their signings. The likes of Marco Palestra, Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix all suit playing in a back three more than a back four.
Alonso will have his first chance to impress the home fans when the Blues play their last pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge against Real Sociedad, before Premier League action gets underway at Craven Cottage.