Xabi Alonso will soon find out the size of the task he has undertaken by saying yes to BlueCo and agreeing to become Chelsea’s next manager. But John Terry is confident with Alonso at the helm.
Alonso has put pen to paper on a four-year contract and will officially take office on July 1. Having long been touted to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool, Alonso made the bold decision to accept Chelsea’s offer.
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
When Alonso welcomes back his entire army of Chelsea players, he might well have the best part of 40 players to choose from. It is the first obstacle of many that Alonso will have to overcome as Blues boss.
But the real question is, with Alonso earning newfound power in this BlueCo era, will the Spaniard be a success at Stamford Bridge? Is he able to take Chelsea back to the promised land? Terry has had his say.
Alonso needs two years to turn Chelsea into title challengers
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored alongside the Arsenal fan and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, Chelsea icon Terry discussed the arrival of Alonso and how many years he needs to be a success.
Terry reckons Chelsea, under Alonso’s guidance, will require two years to become title challengers once again, after such a dismal 25-26 season: “It’s probably been the worst season since I retired, to be honest.
“Ownership and sporting directors went down the route of bringing in young players. My view has always been that you need experience around these young players. We desperately need that.
“With Alonso coming in after the disastrous season we’ve had, I think he’s a really good signing. I don’t think we could have got any better in the position that we’re in. He has a great footballing brain.
“I’ve come across him a couple of times, I’ve played against him. I think he will sign some experienced players, if he is given the freedom to make his own signings and he will move us in the right direction.
“Do I think we’re competing for the Premier League? No I don’t; I think we’re a couple of years away from that,” Terry concluded, in his verdict on Chelsea and the incoming era under new manager Alonso.
What does Alonso need to make Chelsea successful again?
Chelsea failing to qualify for Europe is a travesty for a club of such stature. But actually, it may prove to be a blessing in disguise. Look at Man United, who, without European distraction, climbed into third position.
Alonso can take advantage of remaining at Cobham during the week. It will allow him to get his tactics across successfully. The Blues boss has the ideal platform to guide Chelsea back to the big time.
What is Xabi Alonso’s number one priority as soon as he walks through those doors?🤔
But he will also need movement in the transfer market. The transfer kitty is affected by a lack of European football, but one that can be built up again by selling parts of a squad no longer required without Europe.
Chelsea need a top-class goalkeeper, a partner for Levi Colwill in defence, an incisive left-winger and competition for Joao Pedro. They may need replacements for Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, too.
Plenty to do, little time, but Alonso has the platform and the stage to start putting the building blocks into what Chelsea fans – and Terry – will hope to be a return to success, a return of a fearsome Chelsea.
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