Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea celebrates
Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea celebrates
It is still early days at Chelsea for Xabi Alonso, yet it is really hard not to get carried away from the start he has made in the dugout.
Under Alonso, Chelsea have won their first two games of the new Premier League season and now sit third in the table as a result.
They also beat Luton Town 2-0 in the second round of the Carabao Cup, making it three wins in three so far.
Again, with Alonso having not been at Stamford Bridge for too long, you have to be wary of making too many early conclusions. However, right now, Alonso really is proving to be your typical Chelsea manager from the Roman Abramovich era.
Thinking about that long and successful era, the likes of Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte all come to mind.
All three men are top managers and found success at Chelsea by being pragmatic. Alonso could be set to do the very same thing.
READ MORE:Josh Acheampong or Wesley Fofana? Xabi Alonso now knows which Chelsea star is first choice
Over the weekend, Alonso’s Chelsea side beat Brighton & Hove Albion with just 26% possession. Against Fulham, they also won that match with a very low ball possession percentage, which was 38%.
The point is, as has always been the case for Mourinho in his career, the only thing that matters is winning. That is at least the impression Alonso has given from the Chelsea dugout so far.
The above is in contrast to Enzo Maresca, who was insistent on playing a certain way. It was never just about the result with the Italian.
Chelsea's possession vs Brighton
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Maresca was obsessed with Chelsea playing a certain way, even though it bore supporters at times. Under the new Manchester City boss, Chelsea were guilty of overplaying at the back and having possession for the sake of it.
Their backline would pass the ball in a horseshoe shape, which was the most boring thing to watch. And in the Premier League, where Maresca did not enjoy as much success compared to the cup competitions, it was even more painful to watch.
What we have seen under Alonso, has it been ugly during some moments? Absolutely, but it is working so far and is very reminiscent of what Chelsea fans saw under Tuchel and Conte in terms of the team’s shape and style. With that in mind, despite being a Liverpool legend, Alonso looks like the ideal Chelsea manager.