Gary Neville names two conditions Xabi Alonso will have demanded from Chelsea

Xabi Alonso’s first words as Chelsea manager!

What are you expecting from Alonso’s first season in charge?

Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior were all named head coach at Stamford Bridge. The switch to manager for Alonso highlights the level of importance given to Alonso.

More power will be handed to the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager, making Alonso the face of a new era at Chelsea. One where BlueCo might actually turn out to be a success in West London.

Gary Neville names two demands Xabi Alonso will have made

The news filtered through on Saturday evening and then on Sunday morning, Chelsea confirmed the arrival of Alonso. A decision that has left Real Madrid fans wondering what might have been with Alonso.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast on Sunday, Premier League legend Gary Neville discussed Chelsea’s appointment of Alonso. He believes the Spaniard will have made two key demands, both costing BlueCo.

“He’s probably more than likely said, if I am going to subject myself to this, there are a couple of things I want. If you’re going to sack me, I want to be paid a fortune if I’m going to come,” Neville said on Alonso.

“That’s the first thing he’ll have asked for. The second thing will be control. Those are the two things he will have asked for, the two conditions. He’ll have asked for control and protection against being sacked.”

What is next for Chelsea fans as Xabi Alonso set to join

For now, Alonso will watch from afar. Officially, the Spaniard starts work on July 1 but there is no chance that the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder will put his feet up for the next six weeks.

DISCUSS: BlueCo must leave for Chelsea to be successful again…

Or is there a future with BlueCo at Chelsea?

Calum McFarlane will continue to take the side on an interim basis in the remaining two Premier League games of the season. Sunday’s results will give Chelsea hope that they can still qualify for Europe.

Chelsea are next in action against Tottenham on Tuesday night, before going to Sunderland on the final day of the season. Both sides still have plenty to play for, meaning Chelsea have plenty left to do.

Then, Alonso takes charge on July 1 and will have a big say on the club’s plans in the transfer market. His first game as Chelsea manager will come in Australia, against Western Sydney Wanderers, on July 28.