Xabi Alonso is not set to take over official duties as Chelsea manager until the start of July, but has already been spotted at Cobham in the weeks leading up to that.
Chelsea waited less than 48 hours to confirm the announcement that Alonso was going to be taking over after the sackings of Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca.
It has been seen as a significant coup for the Blues to bring the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge, with fears spreading that the era of the club being able to attract top managers was ending.
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Xabi Alonso visited Cobham to meet Chelsea staff
In fact, it has been reported Alonso turned down taking over at Liverpool, with them now turning to former Blues target Andoni Iraola.
Despite it being more than three weeks until he officially takes over, Nizaar Kinsella has reported that Alonso has been in attendance at Cobham this week alongside his coaching staff.
He stated that this was not to discuss transfers, but rather to get to know some of the key people he will be working alongside in his new job.
He said: “Xabi Alonso visited Cobham earlier this week with his coaching staff in a trip to familiarise himself with the set-up, to get to know key figures and hit the ground running. It was not related to transfers, which can be done remotely on an ongoing basis.”
Transfers are going to be a key part of this summer, after it has been reported Chelsea have given him assurances that he will have some control over who comes in.
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Alonso has named his list of untouchables at Stamford Bridge, including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Caicedo.
This list did not include the likes of Enzo Fernandez or Marc Cucurella, who are both being strongly linked with moves to top Spanish sides this summer.
The fact the Blues cannot offer Champions League football to their top stars next season, and that has implications on their salaries in West London.
Even without the European distractions, Alonso is facing challenges in his first season as a Chelsea manager, and will need appropriate backing in the transfer market this summer.
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