Why Chelsea are considering appointing Xavi as next manager
Chelsea’s recent form is a major concern and they could finish as low as 16th in the Premier League this season. The ownership have talked about ‘tweaking’ things this summer but what the club needs right now is a complete reset. Whatever they have been doing over the past four years has not worked at all.
After spending north of a billion on their squad, the Blues are left with a team that has lost six games straight in the Premier League and scored just once in that run. A piece of individual brilliance from Joao Pedro that deserved to be much more than a consolation strike in a 3-1 loss to a second-string Nottingham Forest side.
Changes need to happen all across the board. One of the first things they need to do is hire a proven winning manager.
A lot of fans would like to see Xabi Alonso get the post. But it looks like one of his Spanish compatriots is now under consideration as well. None other than Barcelona legend Xavi.
Chelsea eyeing move for Xavi
According to The Independent, Xavi is under consideration by Chelsea to be their next manager. The club want to persevere with a coach of similar principles to Enzo Maresca, which is how Xavi has come into a conversation that also includes Xabi Alonso, Franceso Farioli and Cesc Fabregas.
One of the greatest midfielders of all-time, Xavi has shown his quality in the dug out as well. With FC Barcelona, he won the La Liga title as well as a Supercopa de Espana while working under financial constraints. Before that, he won seven trophies in two-and-a-half years at Al Saad.
So, he does have his qualities as a coach. And his style of play would suit this Chelsea squad, which will be very important when it comes to the next appointment.
Why someone like Xavi could be a great fit
Someone like Alonso or Xavi could be a good fit for this Chelsea squad. They play a possession-based style of football. And with a good pre-season, things could take some shape.
Also, they are proven winners, both as players and coaches. They also know what it takes to succeed at top clubs and how to deal with those expectations. That mentally is something that cannot be overlooked.
That is one of the reasons why I am not convinced someone like Andoni Iraola would be the right choice. His high intensity style of football might not be the right fit for these players, who have been overrun in every game. Also, he is not someone who has won a ton over his football career.
Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade.
His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow.
Outside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.
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