Xabi Alonso and the England badge
Xabi Alonso enjoyed an outstanding playing career, shining for several of the biggest clubs in world football. The former midfielder represented Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich among others, establishing himself as a formidable presence in the centre of the pitch.
He collected a huge number of trophies at club and international level and played an important role during Spain's period of dominance in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
After hanging up his boots, he made the move into management and has since proved that he can be just as effective in the dugout as he was on the field. Following a spell managing Real Sociedad B, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 and helped the German club reach new heights. He led them through an unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, securing their first-ever league championship.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso
Now, he's in charge at Chelsea after a short spell at Real Madrid. Overall, he's consistently showcased his exceptional understanding of football throughout the years. As a result, when he offers his thoughts on matters concerning the beautiful game, they carry plenty of weight. That makes the Spaniard's praise for one particular English player especially noteworthy.
Alonso Was a Big Fan of Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
While at Bayern Munich, Alonso spoke openly about Michael Carrick and had plenty of positive things to say about the then-Manchester United midfielder. He revealed that he saw similarities between himself and Carrick and believed the Englishman was capable of playing for a nation as strong as Spain, who had just enjoyed three consecutive major international tournament victories.
Carrick had spent nine years with the Red Devils after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006, making 464 appearances for the club. Along the way, he established himself as one of the most underrated players in Premier League history. A dependable presence in United's midfield, Carrick clearly earned Alonso's admiration. Speaking to the Sunday Times in an interview, with his comments shared by Sky Sports, the Spaniard said:
Although Carrick enjoyed considerable success at club level with the Red Devils, his England career never reached comparable heights. He frequently found himself behind players such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the midfield hierarchy.
It's reasonable to imagine that his international career could have looked very different if Alonso had been managing the Three Lions during his prime.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and accurate as of 23/09/2026.