🇦🇷💫 Enzo Fernández has now reached 21 goal contributions for Chelsea this season in all competitions.
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🔎 Inside Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea appointment - via The Athletic:
In the days that followed Liam Rosenior’s sacking, honest discussions were held within the hierarchy to determine what lessons could be learned from a season that had unravelled, and what was needed in the dugout and on the pitch to ensure that mistakes were not repeated and the expectations of ownership and supporters could be met.
There were the trio of imminent Premier League free agents: Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner. Of the three, it was Iraola who gained the most traction in Chelsea’s coaching search, on the strength of his remarkable achievements at Bournemouth. He was approached and impressed, though there were concerns about the radical departure his style of football would represent from the work of Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
But it was Alonso that was the front-runner from the start. He had been on Chelsea’s radar since the summer of 2024.
His leadership qualities, professionalism and vision for building a winning culture shone through in the early discussions. It was the club that suggested giving him the title of manager rather than head coach, in recognition of those attributes.
Style of play was also an important consideration. Alonso is viewed as being of the same school of coaching as Maresca — inspired by Pep Guardiola’s positional play approach — offering a measure of continuity on the pitch.
With talks reaching an advanced stage, Alonso travelled to London last week.
Alonso had questions about the unique sporting structure and decision-making process at Stamford Bridge. He had several meetings with the club’s sporting leadership to clarify their various responsibilities and how they serve the team.
Alonso say it was important for him to be confident that he would have real influence and a voice at Chelsea.
Alonso spoke during his discussions with the club of his desire to build a team of “mentality monsters” at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are intending to sign at least two starting calibre players in this summer’s transfer market, with proven talent — in terms of mindset as well as skill — set to be prioritised.
#CFC #ChelseaFC #XabiAlonso #Alonso
In the days that followed Liam Rosenior’s sacking, honest discussions were held within the hierarchy to determine what lessons could be learned from a season that had unravelled, and what was needed in the dugout and on the pitch to ensure that mistakes were not repeated and the expectations of ownership and supporters could be met.
There were the trio of imminent Premier League free agents: Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner. Of the three, it was Iraola who gained the most traction in Chelsea’s coaching search, on the strength of his remarkable achievements at Bournemouth. He was approached and impressed, though there were concerns about the radical departure his style of football would represent from the work of Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
But it was Alonso that was the front-runner from the start. He had been on Chelsea’s radar since the summer of 2024.
His leadership qualities, professionalism and vision for building a winning culture shone through in the early discussions. It was the club that suggested giving him the title of manager rather than head coach, in recognition of those attributes.
Style of play was also an important consideration. Alonso is viewed as being of the same school of coaching as Maresca — inspired by Pep Guardiola’s positional play approach — offering a measure of continuity on the pitch.
With talks reaching an advanced stage, Alonso travelled to London last week.
Alonso had questions about the unique sporting structure and decision-making process at Stamford Bridge. He had several meetings with the club’s sporting leadership to clarify their various responsibilities and how they serve the team.
Alonso say it was important for him to be confident that he would have real influence and a voice at Chelsea.
Alonso spoke during his discussions with the club of his desire to build a team of “mentality monsters” at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are intending to sign at least two starting calibre players in this summer’s transfer market, with proven talent — in terms of mindset as well as skill — set to be prioritised.
#CFC #ChelseaFC #XabiAlonso #Alonso
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🚨🔵Final day scenario:
Chelsea win/Brighton win: UECL
Chelsea win/Brighton draw or L: UEL
Chelsea draw/Brentford draw or L: UECL
Chelsea lose: No Europe
Chelsea win/Brighton win: UECL
Chelsea win/Brighton draw or L: UEL
Chelsea draw/Brentford draw or L: UECL
Chelsea lose: No Europe
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