{"id":7462,"date":"2026-05-12T06:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7462"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:57:08","slug":"jamie-carragher-drops-his-verdict-as-xabi-alonso-set-for-chelsea-instead-of-liverpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7462","title":{"rendered":"Jamie Carragher drops his verdict as Xabi Alonso set for Chelsea instead of Liverpool"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-367633\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Chelsea could be about to pull off a huge coup with the appointment of Xabi Alonso, and Jamie Carragher agrees. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"p-rc_82afbbfd8af43ede-43\">Xabi Alonso\u2019s deep emotional ties to Liverpool are well-documented, rooted in five legendary seasons at Anfield, where he lifted the 2005 Champions League and the 2006 FA Cup. Despite these strong links and a vocal section of the Reds\u2019 support pining for his return, the door to Merseyside appears currently closed, with the Liverpool hierarchy maintaining confidence in Arne Slot.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p id=\"p-rc_82afbbfd8af43ede-44\">Unlike Liverpool, who are wedded to their current project, Chelsea are in a state of transition that perfectly suits Alonso. And by acting decisively while the Reds remain committed to Slot, Chelsea can secure a much-needed leader who brings both managerial experience and a refined structural identity. <\/p>\n<p>The Blues just need to ensure they give Alonso the foundations to thrive.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"74909401-8595-4074-9a62-89a4ab9cee30\" data-story-name=\"New Chelsea Manager\" data-comment-id=\"41cdf0d9-45bc-4af8-a3aa-191011afda5a\" data-story-slug=\"new-chelsea-manager\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Xabi Alonso or Cesc Fabregas\u2026 Who are you taking?\ud83d\udc40<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso for Chelsea manager\" class=\"wp-image-367643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/split-screen-news-2.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"(Photo by Alberto Gardin\/NurPhoto via Getty Images) and (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jamie-carragher-thinks-xabi-alonso-would-be-huge-for-chelsea\">Jamie Carragher thinks Xabi Alonso would be huge for Chelsea<\/h2>\n<p>Interestingly, Alonso now looks like the prime candidate for Chelsea after recent talks.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on Sky Sports after Tottenham\u2019s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Jamie Carragher believes that Xabi Alonso would be brilliant for a big club like Chelsea. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that would be a big coup for Chelsea. I am sure he would love to manage Liverpool one day, but Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in European Football at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s true, for a side that may not get European football for next season, to pull off the appointment of a manager of Alonso\u2019s stature would be impressive. <\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar-poll\" data-story-id=\"0014d213-24cc-415e-a559-10d6a8ddd9a0\" data-story-name=\"2025\/26 Season\" data-comment-id=\"0c99353f-514b-4d88-bfa9-a0503cf2d8fc\" data-story-slug=\"2025-26-season\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">SEMI-FINAL ONE: Reece James vs Enzo Fernandez?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Reece James and Enzo Fernandez POTS vote\" class=\"wp-image-367586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Reece-James-Enzo-Fernandez.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Credit: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images\">Credit: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-fa-cup-final-vs-man-city-could-be-vital-for-chelsea\">The FA Cup final vs Man City could be vital for Chelsea<\/h2>\n<p id=\"p-rc_7f35494266074a29-48\">The upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City could be bigger than many think. <\/p>\n<p id=\"p-rc_7f35494266074a29-48\">It looks like being the only way in to European football for the Blues, with a victory guaranteeing a spot in the Europa League, providing a much-needed financial and competitive boost after a turbulent season. <\/p>\n<p>This European security could also be a critical factor in the club\u2019s pursuit of Xabi Alonso. Landing a manager of Alonso\u2019s calibre becomes significantly more realistic if Chelsea can offer Europa League football, which would provide the Spaniard with an added incentive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/jamie-carragher-drops-his-verdict-as-xabi-alonso-set-for-chelsea-instead-of-liverpool\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Jamie Carragher drops his verdict as Xabi Alonso set for Chelsea instead of Liverpool',content_category:'News',content_ids:(367633,\"jamie-carragher\",\"xabi-alonso\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Chelsea could be about to pull off a huge&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7462","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\/7462","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=7462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7462\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}