Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso discusses decision to join club, praises Cole Palmer
Alonso’s Arrival and Philosophy
Xabi Alonso has commenced his role as manager of Chelsea, describing his decision to join the club as being about “timings.” The 44-year-old began working with the squad on the training pitch last week and, during his initial press conference, expressed his commitment to the challenge ahead. He noted that Chelsea is a significant club and he is focused on achieving success.
Alonso’s appointment follows a period where he was not in contact with Liverpool regarding their managerial vacancy. Liverpool had been expected to retain manager Arne Slot, but later made the decision to part ways with him after a season without trophies. Andoni Iraola, a childhood friend of Alonso’s from San Sebastian, who also shares the same agent, was subsequently appointed as Slot’s replacement.
Alonso is the sixth permanent manager for Chelsea in four years under the ownership of BlueCo, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Unlike his predecessors, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, who held the title of head coach, Alonso has been given the title of manager. Insiders suggest this distinction is meaningful, although he will still collaborate with a five-person sporting director team on player recruitment.
When asked about the significance of his title, Alonso emphasised the importance of collective decision-making. He stated that working together and sharing responsibility for decisions is key. He believes this approach aligns with how things should be, expressing confidence in the current direction and the potential within the club. Alonso highlighted the existing strong foundation and good team, indicating the need for strategic reinforcements and sound decisions. He feels aligned with the sporting directors in their shared goal of building a strong squad.
Squad Development and Key Players
Chelsea concluded the previous Premier League season in 10th place after a defeat to Sunderland on the final day, resulting in a lack of European qualification. This outcome has implications for the club’s efforts to manage squad size. The disappointing end to the campaign also meant that key players like Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro did not receive international call-ups for the World Cup.
Alonso has benefited from having more time with the majority of his squad during the pre-season period. He noted that Cole Palmer has returned with a positive and eager attitude after missing out on an England call-up. Alonso described Palmer as a “special player” with unique qualities, stating that building a supportive team around him would help his talent shine and contribute to the team’s success.
The manager also spoke about Marco Palestra, a recent acquisition from Atalanta, who joined earlier this month. Palestra was named Serie A Defender of the Year during a loan spell at Cagliari. Alonso expressed optimism about Palestra’s ability to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League, highlighting his versatility and physical strength.
Alonso noted that Palestra possesses strong qualities for modern football, offering versatility in various defensive positions. He mentioned that while work is needed for his development and adaptation to the Premier League, he is confident it will not take long due to Palestra’s competitive mentality and desire to improve. Alonso is looking forward to maximising Palestra’s potential at the club.
Optimism for the Season Ahead
Alonso remains optimistic about his tenure at Chelsea, despite the club’s recent history of managerial changes. He acknowledged the need for thorough discussions before taking on the role. The manager title, rather than head coach, suggests certain concessions were made to secure his services, and he confirmed alignment with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart on club objectives.
The club finished 10th in the Premier League last season, meaning no European football for at least a year. Alonso has signed a four-year contract. He believes the team is not far from becoming a strong unit capable of competing and winning many games. He expressed a positive outlook, suggesting that with a few adjustments and reinforcements in certain areas, the team can perform significantly better.
Alonso also addressed the situation with midfielder Enzo Fernández, who was the subject of intense speculation regarding his future. Alonso confirmed that Fernández wishes to remain at Chelsea and expects him to rejoin training after the World Cup. The manager has had preliminary discussions with Fernández but declined to elaborate further on the details.
The squad reshaping is already underway, with several player movements. Marc Cucurella moved to Real Madrid for “52m”, and Andrey Santos joined Manchester United for “50m”. Additionally, Tyrique George signed with Everton for “18m”. Chelsea also moved to sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta for “47m” and teenager Geovany Quenda from Sporting for “44m”. Alonso believes the current group requires targeted adjustments rather than a complete overhaul.
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Source: bbc.com
