Chelsea will start their Premier League season at Fulham on Monday and the Blues are hoping that having Xabi Alonso in the dugout will mark an end to years of disarray
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Xavi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, arrives during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has taken the reins at Stamford Bridge(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso represents a brave new world for Chelsea. The Chelsea boss is a change of direction for a club which has moved from potential to proven talent in an effort to get back to winning the biggest trophies.
What is also exciting about Alonso is the former Bayer Leverkusen manager arrives at Stamford Bridge with plenty to prove after his ill-fated time at Real Madrid. And the shift in transfer policy this summer has been so stark from a club buying up young stars to sell for profit in the future to record-breaking deals and experienced leaders.
Morgan Rogers set a new record for an English player when his £117million deal took him from Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge. Just as eye-catching have been Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson because the 30-something veterans are at complete odds with what has gone before under the club’s current hierarchy.
Under Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea have bought so many players that the club lost its identity and direction. Welbeck and Henderson are clever deals because they have been brought in to add experience, character and leadership in the dressing room.
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They have been acquired to set the tone and that will be invaluable for Alonso who knows the value of strong characters. Alonso is familiar with the Premier League - although he actually left Liverpool as a player in 2009 - but is even more aware of the need for the right culture at a club.
There were strong characters at Anfield during his time there like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher while at Leverkusen one of his best signings was Granit Xhaka because of his leadership.
Alonso shook up German football and the odds to lead Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title and marked himself down as one of Europe’s brightest and best young coaches. This is not a manager who necessarily played fast, exciting football but he is very tactical, shrewd and methodical. Maybe that is a factor as to why Alonso may be a better fit for Chelsea than Liverpool.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Todd Boehly, Paul Winstanley and Behdad Eghbali are under increased pressure to succeed(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
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But Alonso’s stint at Real ended badly after just eight months as he struggled to get results or the best out of a star-studded dressing room. It was a huge coup when Chelsea appointed Alonso and they have brought in a manager who was sensational at Bayer Leverkusen, had a setback in Madrid and now has a huge opportunity at Stamford Bridge.
They have a sensational forward line which has been boosted by Rogers but also boasts Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Cole Palmer. Chelsea’s forward options are arguably as good as anything in the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo remains one of the best midfielders of his type in Europe and Maxence Lacroix is a smart signing to stiffen the defence. Chelsea would not want to be out of Europe this season but the fact is they are and that means they can just concentrate on the Premier League.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Morgan Rogers of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with team mates Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Reece James during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea don't have European football to contend with(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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The one game a week routine is a huge advantage over all of their rivals because of fatigue, burnout and also the hangover from the World Cup. That will be a huge factor for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and the rest because Chelsea’s squad will be fresh and ready for the games on the weekend.
This is an exciting new chapter for Chelsea, a new challenge for Alonso and a change of direction for the club as a whole. And with proven talent and a top manager with plenty to prove, they could be genuine challengers this season.
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