Potential New Chelsea Boss Is Already “Asking” About Centre-Back Targets As Hopes Of Appointment Rise
Xabi Alonso has been “asking” about Chelsea’s summer transfer plans, focusing specifically on possible centre-back targets, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
Writing on his Substack, Phillips said that it is by no means a done deal that the Spaniard will become the Blues’ next permanent head coach, but the fact that discussions are still ongoing is promising:
“Alonso has not walked away from talks yet, but does need a lot of convincing and promises in order to take the role. Chelsea are offering Alonso more control, which is what he has asked for. He’s also been asking around recruitment, especially centre-backs, and who they will be looking to bring in.”
“There is a lot of planning and Alonso is insisting that if he is to take the role, then he needs much more of a say than previous managers have had, and more assurances overall around the project and the flexibility on it all. At the moment, Chelsea are working to give those assurances to Alonso, and see him as the main target they want in.”
Alonso is seemingly the standout candidate
It appears as if the Blues have made the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager their top target.
While other managers, such as Andoni IraolaMarco Silva and others are said to have been spoken to, the club’s leadership group seem to have advanced talks the furthest with Alonso.
The bookies are split on the favourite for the Chelsea job
While insiders, such as Phillips, believe Alonso is the favoured option at the moment, betting firms have not gone all in on the 44-year-old.
Iraola and Alonso are joint favourites at some bookmakers (around 2/1), while the likes of Silva, Filipe Luis and Xavi Hernandez have much longer odds.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
