Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Honesty is the best policy, and it seems Xabi Alonso is hitting the nail on the head at Chelsea. Behind the scenes, he is not pulling any punches and telling players exactly what he thinks.
If he wants them as part of his team, they know that. If he doesn’t, they will find out. Alonso has had to be ruthless throughout the summer, given the enormous wealth of players that were on Chelsea’s books.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Chelsea shifted a huge number of players off the books, raking in north of £500m in player sales as per some reports. Enzo Fernandez’s departure in the final hours of the window significantly increased that.
Alonso is doing what needs to be done at Chelsea, regardless of what others think. He is not pandering to the fanbase, and he is certainly not telling players what they want to hear. John Terry’s insight proves that.
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What Tosin Adarabioyo told John Terry before Spurs move
At one stage, it looked as if Alonso wanted to keep Tosin with his leadership key. But the signings of Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and Emi Martinez lessened the need for Tosin to stick around.
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Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
He has joined Spurs for around £12m, and speaking on George Benson’s podcast, John Terry said that he had spoken to Tosin before his exit. Terry says Tosin was told by Alonso that he was not in his plans.
“I was speaking to Tosin the other day. I asked: ‘What did the manager say?’ And he said, ‘I’m just not in his plans. Listen, fully respect it. I’d love to prove him wrong, but I’ve been told to find another club.”
Terry continued: “He’s going, ‘I’m gutted because I’ve only been here a couple of years’. So he’s obviously disappointed, Tosin, but the manager makes it really clear – honest with the players, there’s no grey area.”
Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea FC
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Not just off the pitch, Alonso is getting things done on it too
Alonso is not scared to make decisions that might not be met with positivity, but are right. Selling Tosin is the right call; fans were not convinced, and one more mistake would have seen Tosin’s confidence drop.
On the pitch, Alonso tasked his team to play in such a way against Brighton that meant they only had 26% of the ball – but it got the job done. Not popular, or what fans are used to, but Chelsea won 4-3.
Giving Xabi Alonso the manager’s title is BlueCo’s best move
Eyebrows were raised when BlueCo gave Alonso the title of manager and not head coach. But Alonso is taking full advantage, and he is getting done what needs to be done, unlike some of his predecessors.
Profit made in the window? Tick. Three wins from three? Tick. A fanbase optimistic and backing the team again? Tick. Alonso’s bravery and honesty are pillars for Chelsea’s success – both early and long-term.