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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Jurgen Klopp Signs A Contract Extension at Liverpool (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)
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He said: “I’ve been told right from the outset, right from back to two years ago, that Xabi Alonso was never really kind of high on Liverpool’s list.
“And I think a lot of it is, the fact that clubs don’t really want to go for a club legend if they can help it because that club legend becomes quite a powerful figure and you don’t want to manage this more powerful than sporting directors need in the hierarchy, do they? So that’s one element.
“But I think his style of play, I mean, this change with Slot is being designed by Liverpool in many aspects to have a more attacking front foot way of playing and that is Xabi Alonso’s way of playing, really.
“Xabi Alonso isn’t that, he’s certainly not a kind of a Klopp disciple. I’m not saying that Iraola is, but Iraola, his Bournemouth, do have a very high energy way of playing football. So that is more suited to what Liverpool want.”
Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔
Let us know your reasoning! 👇
Possibly, but Alonso hit the ground running and had experience.. He could be an enforcer, someone we are missing, in the Le Saux category but Cucurella, no, far too niggly and spiteful. To much off the ball
I think Cucurella runs him close in my opinion, maybe even better idk. But Alonso was fantastic
badger.prodder
Yes, personally I think he was one of the best and how anybody thought Chilwell, then Cucurella were upgrades, well. If you only took his free kicks into consideration he'd rate highly.
Alonso is believed to have far more say over transfers than any of the head coaches who preceded him at Stamford Bridge under the new owners, and this may also clash with Edwards’ way of working.
However, coming in at Chelsea would clearly need the sporting director he is working in a completely new environment. Crucially, it is one that has already put a lot of faith in Alonso at the helm.
They spent plenty of money on Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix to add Premier League experience to their starting side, whilst also leaning into Alonso’s recommendations with the signings of Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria.
So far, there has been no approach for Edwards from Chelsea, however the Blues will need to be aware he has already passed up on hiring the man who has been tasked with leading the first team at Stamford Bridge.