\n<\/p>\n
Xabi Alonso reportedly knows his first three transfer targets at Chelsea after being appointed on a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
The former Bayer Leverkusen head coach will officially start his role on July 1 with Chelsea<\/strong> confirming his arrival on Sunday.<\/p>\n A statement read: \u2018Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n \u2018The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four\u2011year contract at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n \u2018One of the most respected figures in the modern game, Alonso arrives at Chelsea having already experienced coaching at the highest level of European football with Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to the first league title in their history.<\/p>\n \u2018His appointment reflects the Club\u2019s belief in his broad set of experiences, coaching quality and game model, leadership attributes, character and integrity, which were key to the decision to ask him to help lead the next phase of Chelsea\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n READ: \u20ac75m Chelsea star wants to leave after Xabi Alonso becomes manager<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018He is regarded not only as an outstanding football coach, but also as a proven leader and partner across a number of areas essential to the demands of driving the team.\u2019<\/p>\n Alonso said of his appointment: \u201cChelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.\u201d<\/p>\n And Caught Offside<\/em> are claiming that the Spaniard already knows his first three signings with the ex-Liverpool midfielder looking to sign an elite number nine, an experienced goalkeeper and a ball-playing centre-back.<\/p>\n READ: \u2018Chelsea position very clear\u2019 on selling Joao Pedro to Barcelona after \u2018meeting\u2019 \u2013 Fabrizio Romano<\/strong><\/p>\n Alonso\u2019s \u2018biggest priority is believed to be a new striker\u2019 with Chelsea\u2019s \u2018top target\u2019 understood to be Galatasaray superstar Victor Osimhen.<\/p>\n The report adds: \u2018Osimhen would give Chelsea something they have missed for years: chaos, aggression, penalty-box movement and guaranteed fear factor. He is not just a finisher.<\/p>\n \u2018If Alonso wants Chelsea to become a serious title challenger again, signing a striker of that level would be a huge statement.\u2019<\/p>\n The goalkeeping situation is \u2018another major area to watch\u2019 with Chelsea understood to be interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.<\/p>\n Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande, who plays as a centre-back for Sporting CP, \u2018is being targeted as he would suit a possession-based system because of his strength, athleticism and comfort on the ball\u2019.<\/p>\n The signings of Maignan and Osimhen would move away from Chelsea\u2019s current transfer policy of signing younger players but it would provide much-needed experience.<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Boehly reacts after Alonso tells Chelsea to sign Mbappe as Real Madrid reach sale decision \u2013 report<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n