Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images
Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Aside from the loss at Brentford, Chelsea have scored in the first seven minutes of their five other league games so far – with Jordan Henderson and Morgan Rogers scoring in the first two minutes on Saturday.
Jordan Henderson starred in Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth, but who is the club’s greatest-ever free transfer? 🤔
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Gill compared Alonso to former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez, explaining that Benitez is largely placid, while Alonso is more than happy to blast a firework up the backside of his players if it is required.
Gill said, in his latest piece: “While Benitez was the unemotional type, we are told Alonso is capable of much more animation in the changing room than that which he projects in his press conferences.”
Standards are high, and it’s exactly what Chelsea needed
Liam Rosenior, Graham Potter, and even Enzo Maresca, to a degree, all saw some attitude problems while in charge at Chelsea. All three are capable of getting shirty, but it is Alonso’s calibre that sets standards.
There were times during the aforementioned trio’s time in charge that Chelsea’s players looked like they didn’t care, almost downing tools. Rosenior’s final game as manager at Brighton was absolutely woeful.
But Chelsea’s owners and Behdad Eghbali have now realised that managing a club like Chelsea requires a certain calibre, reputation and aura to get Chelsea’s biggest egos to listen and conform on the pitch.
Alonso has it. Yes, he’s been named manager, but Alonso has the dressing room onside, in stark contrast to Rosenior’s time in charge, when one unnamed Chelsea player nicknamed him the ‘supply teacher’.