There is a growing sense of optimism and excitement at Chelsea with Xabi Alonso in the door and pre-season underway. But one comment in his first press conference suggests he doesn’t trust BlueCo.
Pre-season training began last Thursday for those in Chelsea’s squad who have not been involved at the World Cup. Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah remain in the tournament.
The likes of Mike Penders, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and others also involved across the pond will return in due course, likely given a longer leave of absence having played at the World Cup this summer.
Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! 🏆
But Alonso is excited by the potential of his squad and spoke well during his first press conference, with the main message that he wanted to improve the standards and mentality of his newly inherited squad.
However, one comment will have troubled Chelsea fans. It remains the one lurking uncertainty around Alonso, as it has done his predecessors since BlueCo came to power – will he get the necessary time?
Xabi Alonso does not know if he will be given time at Chelsea
One element of Alonso’s press conference was the clear attempt to tell fans that he is working alongside Chelsea’s quintet of sporting directors in tandem and that the relationships among them are strong.
But when asked if he will be given the time and freedom to fulfil expectations and turn Chelsea into title contenders again, Alonso could not give a definitive answer. His “time will tell” comment is a concern.
“Time will tell. What I’m sure is that we have the ambition to win games, to be competitive. We need to make important decisions. We need to build strong principles, mentality and culture. And time will tell.”
Alonso’s comment suggests a lack of trust in BlueCo
Chelsea’s hierarchy have become renowned for their trigger finger. Since taking over in 2022, BlueCo have appointed five permanent managers, four of whom have been entitled head coach, and one as manager.
Not one of Chelsea’s managers during the BlueCo era have really been given the time that a Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, and other successful bosses have been afforded at England’s biggest clubs.
Sorry, but there are WORSE players than Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea who aren’t being pushed out of the club
That approach has left fans worried that a few losses early into Alonso’s tenure, and BlueCo may decide to pull the trigger. Alonso is a project manager and has spoken about his excitement for the Chelsea project.
Even if Chelsea endure a poor first season, Alonso needs time. But his comment suggests he has not been given any reassurance that he will receive the necessary time to return Chelsea to its former glories.
If BlueCo had given Alonso that assurance, he would simply have said that. But his reply suggests that he knows of BlueCo’s past, their willingness to sack a manager, and knows he must hit the ground running.
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