Xabi Alonso has asked Chelsea to sign Alvaro Carreras and two stats show why

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Real Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras is a player new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso knows very well.

Alonso worked with Carreras during his brief spell in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout before he was sacked.

However, it looks as though Alonso could be set for a reunion with the full-back at Stamford Bridge.

Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?

Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid 🇪🇸

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Chelsea are thought to be interested in Carreras, with Alonso reportedly pushing for the transfer. A couple of his stats last season possibly show why.

Tackles and interceptions

According to Sport, Alonso is driving Chelsea’s interest in Carreras, who was great at winning the ball back during the 2025/26 campaign.

As per Scout Lab, Carreras made 3.40 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes last term, placing him in the 88th percentile among his positional peers for that area.

The left-back could struggle for game time under Jose Mourinho next season following Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid.

Pep Chavarria is another left-back Chelsea are considering as they prepare for life after Cucurella.

• READ MORE: Real Madrid’s stance on selling Alvaro Carreras to Chelsea

Ball recoveries

Another area where Cucurella’s teammate Carreras excelled last term was ball recoveries. The 23-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile after making 7.17 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which is quite impressive.

All in all, Carreras is clearly a full-back who is capable of winning the ball back and is quick to it. That and the fact that Alonso has worked with him before explains Chelsea’s interest.

Whether the Blues sign Carreras, Chavarria or someone else, Jorrel Hato is in with a great chance of being the team’s first-choice left-back in the new campaign.

Chelsea plan to use Hato in the left-back position, with the Dutchman capable of playing there and in central defence.

A lot of eyes will be on Alonso’s backline next season. Under Calum McFarlane and Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s defence was pretty poor. It is an area that he undoubtedly has to address.