Joao Pedro to play a crucial role at Chelsea under Xabi Alonso or Andoni Iraola
Credit: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth/Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images via Getty Images
There is a world where Xabi Alonso could have become the new Liverpool manager, and Andoni Iraola moved to Chelsea in the summer. But Iraola replaced Arne Slot, and Alonso moved to London.
Alonso has always been seen as a future Liverpool manager given his playing career at Anfield. He is still a Liverpool icon after his goal in the 2005 Champions League comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul.
But immediately after Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Man City, the Blues announced that Alonso would be the club’s next manager. Then, a few weeks later, Iraola had replaced Slot in the Anfield dugout.
Who has made the better start – Iraola or Alonso?
Iraola was strongly linked with the Chelsea job, after confirming he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season. If we look at the Premier League table, it would be easy to say Iraola has started better.
Liverpool sit in sixth place, unbeaten after five Premier League games, winning two and drawing three. On the weekend, Iraola returned to The Vitality and ended Bournemouth’s unbeaten start with a 1-0 victory.
The Reds are also into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, like Chelsea, after beating Tottenham while getting the better of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Iraola has made an excellent start to life at Anfield.
But Liverpool have had an easy start to the Premier League. No clubs inside the top eight so far, facing Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Newcastle before beating Bournemouth. They drew three of those first four.
Alonso’s side, meanwhile, have beaten Brighton as well as Fulham. They drew against a Hull side that got the better of Man United, beat fifth-placed Leeds in the Cup, and came close to a result against Arsenal.
Iraola can be better judged immediately after the break
Liverpool take on Man City at Anfield immediately after the break, before going to Brentford – where Alonso watched his side lose 3-0. Then the Reds host Arsenal’s nemesis, Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton.
Chelsea’s next three games are slightly easier on paper after the break. Bournemouth at home, then Everton away, and Tottenham at home. Three games where fans will expect six points at a minimum.
After the next three games for each side, Alonso and Iraola can be judged better on the job they are doing at Chelsea and Liverpool. Right now, though, Iraola’s Liverpool sit higher in the table than Chelsea.