Xabi Alonso will take over as Chelsea manager on July 1, and Blues fans are eagerly awaiting to see how BlueCo’s first ‘manager’ will fare in the dugout. Reece James is excited.
It feels like a new era at Chelsea. For the first time since taking over in 2022, BlueCo have handed the man in the dugout the title of ‘manager’. It is something fans have been begging for, giving Alonso freedom.
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While it is official that Alonso will start work in less than a fortnight’s time, the belief is that the Spaniard has been working behind the scenes. He and his assistants have visited Cobham over the last few weeks.
The first obstacle will be that Alonso will not actually get all of his players in pre-season training from the off, with Chelsea set to give those competing at the World Cup a longer break, such as Reece James.
Reece James shares what he’s been told about Xabi Alonso
A handful of Chelsea players have spoken about the decision to hire Alonso. Cole Palmer said soon after the arrival that the Blues squad were both delighted and excited to have Alonso as Chelsea manager.
But captain James has not broken his silence on Alonso, until now. Speaking to TalkSPORT this week, the skipper was asked if he had spoken to Alonso following his announcement, and James shared details.
“We’ve spoken a couple of times on the phone; I haven’t met him in person yet. Everyone I’ve spoken to about him says he is an amazing manager. I know him more from his playing career; an amazing career.
“But I’m very excited to work with him. It’s strange [to work with a manager only recently retired]. I had it when I was younger with Frank Lampard, he was one of my idols growing up,” James recalls on Lampard.
“When he stepped in as manager, it was a surreal moment. I’m delighted that Xabi Alonso is our manager and I’m excited,” the Chelsea captain continued this week, discussing Alonso and his excitement.
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Behdad Eghbali has spoken about signing more experienced players in recent weeks, and BlueCo learning from their mistakes. Of course, Eghbali will take over from Todd Boehly as Chelsea chairman next summer.
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But is it all talk? Does giving Alonso the title of ‘manager’ actually mean anything? Well, Ben Jacobs says that Alonso will have the same level of power as Chelsea’s quintet of sporting directors do when he joins.
“Now, Xabi Alonso will move between the football department and all those other five departments (Scouting, technical, negotiation, data and development) that I’ve outlined,” Jacobs said about Alonso.
Until Chelsea fans are shown such with cold hard evidence, they will have reservations. One thing they can be sure about, is that Alonso is an exciting appointment. Hopefully, the Spaniard can live up to the hype.
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