{"id":7383,"date":"2026-05-12T00:37:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T00:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7383"},"modified":"2026-05-12T00:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T00:37:28","slug":"chelsea-make-contact-with-xabi-alonso-as-liverpool-face-major-blow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7383","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea make contact with Xabi Alonso as Liverpool face major blow"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso has emerged as the leading contender to take over at Chelsea as per the latest from reliable journalist Ben Jacobs. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea began the 2025\/26 season with Enzo Maresca in charge, but inconsistent performances saw the Blues hierarchy make an early managerial change, replacing him with Liam Rosenior midway through the campaign.<\/p>\n

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However, Rosenior\u2019s spell at Stamford Bridge proved even more disappointing.<\/p>\n

In typical Chelsea fashion under BlueCo, the club acted brutally swift and dismissed Rosenior, with Callum McFarlane stepping in as interim manager while the search for a permanent appointment continues ahead of the summer.<\/p>\n

Chelsea make contact with Xabi Alonso as Ben Jacobs reveals latest<\/h2>\n

Andoni Iraola, who is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, has been a strongly linked with the job.<\/p>\n

However, Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed by Real Madrid early on in the season, has now emerged as a \u2018leading contender\u2019 for the role.<\/p>\n

According to Ben Jacobs, the Spaniard is open to the Premier League job.<\/p>\n

Chelsea want to appoint a new manager before the World Cup starts and have already made contact with Alonso.<\/p>\n

There are other managers under consideration as well including Fulham boss Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner.<\/p>\n

Taking to X<\/a>Jacobs revealed:<\/p>\n

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\u201cUnderstand Chelsea hope to appoint a successor to replace Liam Rosenior before the World Cup starts. Xabi Alonso is currently a leading contender and Chelsea have already made contact with the former Real Madrid and Leverkusen boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlonso is keen on a Premier League job this summer. Fulham\u2019s Marco Silva and outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola both remain on the list. Crystal Palace\u2019s Oliver Glasner and ex-Flamengo coach Filipe Luis are new names under consideration\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cLuis was a name Chelsea discussed before appointing Rosenior with talks eventually centring on a potential switch to Strasbourg prior to Gary O\u2019Neil\u2019s appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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? Understand Chelsea hope to appoint a successor to replace Liam Rosenior before the World Cup starts.<\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso is currently a leading contender and Chelsea have already made contact with the former Real Madrid and Leverkusen boss. Alonso is keen on a Premier League job this\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/LFfG6mUSZy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Alonso joining Chelsea will be a blow for Liverpool<\/h2>\n

Alonso\u2019s potential move to Stamford Bridge could also come as a major setback for Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Pressure continues to grow on Arne Slot following a disappointing campaign that has seen Liverpool struggle for consistency while concerns over dressing room harmony continue to intensify.<\/p>\n

Slot has faced criticism for Liverpool\u2019s underwhelming results, his handling of Mohamed Salah, and comments surrounding the club\u2019s Champions League run.<\/p>\n

Liverpool supporters have traditionally remained fiercely loyal to their managers, but growing frustration among the Anfield faithful could eventually force the hierarchy to rethink their long-term stance.<\/p>\n

Alonso has long been viewed as the dream candidate to eventually succeed at Liverpool, with many supporters hoping to see the former midfielder return to Anfield as manager.<\/p>\n

But it appears that the lack of approach from the Liverpool hierarchy has now seen Alonso become a favourite for the Chelsea job which would no doubt come as a big blow for Liverpool if they do decide to sack Slot in the summer.<\/p>\n

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