Xabi Alonso Chelsea 2026
REUTERS/Hollie Adams via Action Images
If anyone knows what a world-class midfielder looks like, it's Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard was regarded as one of the best central midfielders of his generation during his playing career, during which he lifted four league titles in two countries, two Champions League trophies, countless cups, two European Championships with Spain, and a World Cup.
Now, as a manager, he has started his career at Stamford Bridge in perfect fashion with three wins from three, with nine goals scored in the process. But ahead of a huge game with Arsenal this week, there are question marks over the team defensively, and how they will set up going forward after losing Enzo Fernandez to Man City in a record-breaking £125m sale.
Moises Caicedo is undoubtedly one of the best in the world, and his position in the team is cemented when he's fit, whether Alonso uses his 3-4-3 system or a 4-2-3-1 formation.
His partner is the main question mark in the team when everyone is fit, with Romeo Lavia shining but struggling with injuries, while Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco both arrived this summer to strengthen the position.
The club also failed with a late deadline-day move for Lamine Camara to bolster, with Monaco pulling the plug on a move with just minutes remaining of the window. But while many have seen that as a big blow to the squad, Alonso feels that the team has the options to cope, mainly because of captain Reece James.
Asked if James can be one of the best midfielders in the world, as well as one of the best right-backs, Alonso said: “I would say so. I would say that he’s very comfortable, very confident playing in that position.
"He has the intelligence to play there. He has the intelligence to connect with teammates in the middle, to know what’s the best thing before and after you get the ball. He has this awareness.
"I remember seeing him play very well in the middle. So yes, we are using him and he will have a lot of minutes in there as a midfielder.”
James Can Be Difference Maker for Chelsea
Reece James-1
Action Images via Reuters
While Alonso feels that James 'could' be one of the best midfielders in the world, there is an argument that he is already in that conversation with his qualities.
On the ball, James is a player who can do everything. His short passing is crisp, his long passing is accurate, his weight of pass is regularly perfect, and his decision-making is one of his best attributes. Defensively, there aren't many flaws in his game either, with many describing him as one of the strongest players they've come up against, while his experience as a right-back mean he knows all about positioning.
While he may not be the biggest goal threat, his ball-striking is phenomenal, and he is a threat from set-pieces too as a result. Skill for skill, there aren't many who can compare with the Blues skipper, and the ones that can are considered to be the best of the best.
Chelsea may not have got the Camara deal over the line, and lost a top midfielder in Enzo Fernandez, but in James, they already have one of the best in the world who can step in and replace him without a second thought.
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