Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
It is too early to suggest Xabi Alonso might be considered a candidate for the sack at Chelsea. Ultimately, he’s had two bad results after an excellent start – but Gary Lineker’s verdict is worrying.
Alonso watched his Chelsea side beat Fulham, Luton, Brighton and Leeds, and give a good account of themselves at The Emirates. But the draw at Hull and then the loss at Brentford has fans aggrieved.
Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top four have just got a whole lot worse, according to Opta. Now, the pressure is on gaffer Alonso to plug the leak at the back – but is he under pressure as manager?
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Gary Lineker delivers “you never know” verdict on Alonso
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker was discussing Chelsea’s leaky defensive line. He said that Alonso has got to get it sorted if Chelsea are to have a successful season – before mentioning Alonso.
“The basis of any successful team is to have a solid defence. As much as I love forward play and attacking football, you do need that behind you because otherwise it puts too much pressure on you to score.
“You can’t score three or four every game. That’s something Alonso needs to address. He will be given plenty of time, I would hope. You never know in this game,” Lineker added, on Alonso’s job security.
Two reasons why Chelsea fans need to be patient
Alonso is not going anywhere for the foreseeable, that is obvious. But it is understandable why Chelsea fans might be worried that the club will make a trigger-happy decision and oust any long-term success.
But the first reason why Clearlake and Behdad Eghbali won’t let Alonso go early, is because they will be desperate to rid the club of Todd Boehly’s image. Eghbali worked hard to get Alonso through the door.
Then, secondly, Alonso’s Leverkusen shipped more goals than Chelsea have done in his first few games with the German club – including a 5-0 hammering. After that, Leverkusen won the league without loss.
Alonso needs time to work, even if his first season at Chelsea does not go according to plan. Blues fans have to get used to the idea that the first season is an evolution and the second is when it all clicks.