Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
There is much to be said for a big club like Chelsea hiring a manager with aura. Regardless of tactics or their work in the transfer market, to manage at Chelsea – the gaffer needs a big reputation.
It’s largely why Graham Potter and Liam Rosenior failed at Chelsea. Even to a point, Enzo Maresca, before his move to Man City. They did not have the aura or the calibre to get the dressing room on their side.
Of course, Maresca is changing that. But Rosenior and Potter have had to take lesser jobs since their stint at Chelsea because they could not handle managing such a big club. Alonso, however, is very different.
His playing career, his unbeaten season at Leverkusen and simply being Real Madrid manager makes him a man that the Chelsea squad will listen to. The latest announcement has just underlined Alonso’s power.
READ MORE:Gary Lineker discusses Xabi Alonso’s position as Chelsea manager after Brentford loss
Cole Palmer becomes the fourth player to miss international duty
Reece James has been in training over the last week, even if he was absent against Brentford. The same goes for Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo, while Cole Palmer played 83 minutes during the loss on Friday.
All four were easily fit enough to jet off and represent their countries. But England will have to do without Palmer and James, while Caicedo was not included in Ecuador’s squad. Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil.
England confirmed on Monday afternoon that Palmer would withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad, even though Tuchel had outlined how Palmer had a point to prove with an English shirt on. Alonso has his way.
Clearly, the Chelsea gaffer has discussed the international break with all four – with the quartet among the best players in his squad, the most-important ones. All four, of course, have had their troubles with injury.
Liam Rosenior or Graham Potter could never pull such a stunt
This is why it is crucial for a Chelsea manager to have an aura, and be ruthless with it. Had Rosenior or Potter requested his players to pull out, or make themselves unavailable, it would have fallen on deaf ears.
But because it is Alonso, his players listen to him. Palmer, James, Caicedo and Pedro would have been desperate to represent their countries – especially Palmer and James after missing out on the World Cup.
However, Alonso is a winner and wants his best players rested and recovered from knocks and tweaks. He’s got his way, and it shows the importance of Chelsea hiring a manager that the players listen to.
Now, Alonso will get the chance to work with Palmer, James, Caicedo and Pedro during the international break while other clubs will wave goodbye to their best players. It gives Chelsea a big advantage.