{"id":22137,"date":"2026-07-27T22:23:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22137"},"modified":"2026-07-27T22:23:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:23:36","slug":"chelsea-players-true-feelings-on-xabi-alonsos-rules-as-u-turn-behind-the-scenes-emerges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22137","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea players&#8217; true feelings on Xabi Alonso&#8217;s &#8216;rules&#8217; as U-turn behind the scenes emerges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_9f853e\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Xabi Alonso is looking to make big changes at Chelsea with the Spaniard keen to compete for the biggest major trophies during his tenure at Stamford Bridge<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34360760\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso smiles\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34360760.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-FC-Press-Conference.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34360760.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Chelsea-FC-Press-Conference.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34360760.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Chelsea-FC-Press-Conference.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34360760.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-FC-Press-Conference.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea could look very different next season under Xabi Alonso\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea could look very different next season under Xabi Alonso<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea players have reportedly been enthused by Xabi Alonso&#8217;s more free-flowing approach early on in his reign. It is said that they are being encouraged to solve problems and create openings in the moment rather than stick to a plan etched in their brain from sessions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Spaniard arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer on a four-year contract, having been given the role of &#8216;manager&#8217; rather than &#8216;head coach&#8217;. Alonso is the first to take up that position at the Blues since Jose Mourinho in his second spell in 2013.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is Alonso&#8217;s first role since leaving Real Madrid in January after just seven months at the helm of the Spanish giants. The former Liverpool and Los Blancos midfielder previously enjoyed success at Bayer Leverkusen, where they went an entire German domestic season unbeaten in 2023\/24 &#8211; ending the 11-year Bundesliga dominance of Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">BlueCo have opted with Alonso, who they believe is one of the brightest managerial talents in European football, to spearhead their long-term project in west London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And the early signs are promising, according to the Sun newspaper. It is claimed that Alonso&#8217;s approach in training has been welcomed by Chelsea players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is said that the energy level has been high during their pre-season sessions in Sydney, Australia. This is reportedly in contrast to Chelsea\u2019s last significant pre-season tour, in America two years ago, where sessions featured ex-Blues boss Enzo Maresca running players through rigid patterns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is also claimed that Alonso\u2019s ability has not gone unnoticed by his players, with some reportedly revealing they have felt jealous of his level at times.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-34353804\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34353804\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.4996666666666667\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso looks on \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34353804.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2287679750.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34353804.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_GettyImages-2287679750.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34353804.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_GettyImages-2287679750.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34353804.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2287679750.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso has made a good early impression at Chelsea\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso has made a good early impression at Chelsea<cite aria-label=\"Image: Photo by Ayush Kumar\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Photo by Ayush Kumar\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ex-Bayern Munich and Real Sociedad star was fortunate to play under some of the game&#8217;s greatest-ever managers, including Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Speaking to Chelsea&#8217;s official website after his appointment was confirmed, the 44-year-old admits some of their work will inevitably have worn off on him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;I have always had a collective vision, even when I was playing. So, I had almost the need to understand the game when I was playing it and that way of understanding football has helped me want to try to be a coach and now take the steps to be where I am right now, at Chelsea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;That&#8217;s very common in midfielders and it&#8217;s common when you have had big influences from many coaches, in San Sebasti\u00e1n, Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and the national team as well, so they have helped me, all of them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But at the end you need to be your own coach, your own style, and you need to be authentic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You need to be able to transmit with authenticity and to have your own way of understanding football.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Xabi Alonso is looking to make big changes at Chelsea with the Spaniard keen to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}