We are less than a month away from Xabi Alonso officially taking over as the new Chelsea manager, so let’s take a look at how some of the club’s best ever players have reacted to the news.
The Chelsea squad are excited at the prospect of working with Alonso, as they look for some consistency following years of repetitive managerial changes.
It remains to be seen if any of the big-name stars have lost hope in the project. Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella are being strongly linked with a move to Spain.
Xabi Alonso has his SEVEN Chelsea ‘untouchables’ 👀
Do you agree with them?
- Reece James
- Cole Palmer
- Joao Pedro
- Estevao Willian
- Moises Caicedo
- Josh Acheampong
- Levi Colwill
Supporters are largely positive about what the future holds for Chelsea under the new manager, but what do the former players think? Let’s take a look at everyone who has put their thoughts on record so far…
How former Chelsea players have reacted to Xabi Alonso appointment
John Obi Mikel
Frequently a critic of the owners at Chelsea, John Obi Mikel admitted they had made the right decision announcing Alonso as manager, rather than head coach.
“Glad to see that the owners, the sporting directors, the people that are in charge of the football club are willing to make changes, they’re willing to listen when it’s not going right, they’re willing to make changes.
“We’ve talked about it. Forget about these coaches, coaches here, there, coaches. No, what we need, and what we’ve always had, was managers, a manager that can come in, who decides the players that I want, the players that I want out, that’s what we’ve got now.
“A manager, so that title has been changed from coach to manager, which is good news.”
Marcel Desailly
Former Blues defender Marcel Desailly believes Alonso needs to build his squad around Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.
“There are like nine players who still need to be developed in the side. Joao Pedro still needs to have somebody to guide him. Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer, the same. Build the attack around these guys.”
Michael Essien
Michael Essien is pleased with the appointment, but gave a timely reminder that being the Chelsea manager coincides with winning
“When you look back at what he’s done at Leverkusen, things didn’t work out at Madrid, but I think it’s a good appointment. We have to give him the support and hopefully he can change things.
“Chelsea are expected to win things, so it’s been a disappointing season; these things happen, but everyone is expecting them to win a trophy next season,.
“It’ll be down to how they play, when they start winning, everyone will say they can win a trophy – but this is Chelsea, they have to win a trophy.”
Ashley Cole
Cesena boss Ashley Cole has doubts that Alonso’s trademark five at the back system will translate from Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t think so, playing five at the back personally, but if he is allowed to be himself, sign his own players, make the decisions and have the power, he will be great. But it doesn’t matter which manager you get in, they have to be allowed to do what’s made them great.”
John Terry
Chelsea legend John Terry believes Alonso could be the perfect candidate to help bring through the younger players
“He’s coming in as the next Chelsea manager, and that’s the key to it. He’s been named the manager of our football club.
“So that tells me from the outside that he’s going to be the man fully in charge, he’s going to be in charge of all signings, and I think the responsibility of managers when they do that and the connections he’ll have, as an ex-player and someone who’s played at the very top, he’s had a very short managerial career, but been very experienced and been very successful early on in that as well.
“So, comes into the building with a fresh idea of how he wants to play with Chelsea for sure, and even though it’s been a really poor season for us, I think our younger players that we’ve had and the exposure they’ve had to the Premier League this year will be better for it. So games under their belt, they’ll be better for it. And yes, there’s some in the group that have shown that they’re probably not good enough.”
Chelsea have high hopes for Josh Acheampong under Xabi Alonso…
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Alonso needs to establish dominance over his players and not allow them to dominate the dressing room.
“They’ve said they want to look at their structure and make some changes, including bringing in some experienced players. The new manager has to be able to manage, to really be the boss when it comes to football decisions. It’s not good if the players know people at the top can override the manager’s decisions.
“That just leads to a lack of respect and poor mentality. Right now, you see Chelsea being very good one game, then lacking energy the next. That points to a bigger issue internally. Leadership has to start from the top.”
Gary Cahill
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is excited about what Alonso can bring, saying he will demand respect from those featuring for him.
“My first thought was I was quite excited. I think it’s a great appointment for the football club in terms of what he did at Leverkusen, he’s been at Real Madrid as well.
“I think he commands respect straight away coming in for the calibre of player that he was. And I think what’s sometimes different when a manager has been a player, they understand the mentality of players.
“What the players are going through. This is still a young group. I hope he can develop and take the club to the heights of what we expect at Chelsea Football Club but it’s an exciting appointment.”
Joe Cole
Joe Cole was not happy with how Chelsea announced the new manager, with it coming so close to the defeat in the FA Cup final.
“The fact that the Xabi Alonso news has dropped now after losing an FA Cup final stinks of a PR move. The club needs to get away from that. It’s all over the place at the moment. Fans want honesty.”
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