Chelsea have met with Andoni Iraola \u2013 but Xabi Alonso it still waiting in the wings, and it could go either way.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.<\/em><\/p>\n Chelsea have an FA Cup final to worry about this weekend \u2013 but the Blues are also focused on appointing a new manager.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a lot of talk about Xabi Alonso today, but now the word from the Sun is that the first significant move has been towards appointing Andoni Iraola.<\/p>\n Chelsea representatives have met with the Basque, who will leave Bournemouth this summer. Further encouragement comes in the form of news that Iraola has already turned down two different approaches from Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n Alonso is currently out of a job \u2013 so there should be no delay in meeting him in person too, should he express interest in the job and should talks get beyond the initial phase.<\/p>\n Chelsea want to take their time and get the right man \u2013 but it smells like Alonso is their first choice, and were he to be available there would be no need to mess around dealing with lower priority candidates.<\/p>\n The delay may come from his end, as he waits to see what other offers might come up.<\/p>\n Marc Cucurella was a key piece for Chelsea against Liverpool, and his performance has been highly praised by pundits online.<\/p>\n Chelsea want to have their new manager in place by a set date, according to a report today from Sky Sports.<\/p>\n DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE<\/strong><\/p>\n Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips\u2019 SPTC podcast here:<\/em><\/p>\nIraola and Alonso face off for Blues job<\/h2>\n
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