{"id":7897,"date":"2026-05-13T13:52:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T13:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7897"},"modified":"2026-05-13T13:52:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T13:52:39","slug":"chelsea-having-optimism-on-hiring-xabi-alonso-as-new-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7897","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea having optimism on hiring Xabi Alonso as new manager"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In a report by The Guardian, they state that there is optimism on Chelsea hiring Xabi Alonso but also that they\u2019re speaking with Andoni Iraola.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It seems that most reports are edging on the side of caution with this one at the moment, and nobody is prepared to say that Chelsea are going all out for Alonso, and the rest are just back up choices.<\/p>\n

EXCLUSIVE! Xabi Alonso not making any major demands but emphasising importance of defence, talks progressing well \u2013 Chelsea throwing everything at it!<\/h3>\n

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The Guardian even go as far as to detail the reasons why Chelsea like Iraola and are talking to him, pretty much in the same breathe as saying that Chelsea are optimistic on hiring Alonso this summer.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a managerial saga people, we are in for the long run here!<\/p>\n

What the report has said<\/h2>\n
\"Xabi<\/source><\/picture>
Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid (Official Video) (Photo by Florence Tan Jun\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The outlet claims Chelsea are optimistic about luring Alonso to Stamford Bridge with positive early discussions. Chelsea apparently <\/span>feel his style of play suits squad. The unknown now is whether Alonso decides to move to England or take a break.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then soon after in the article, it says Chelsea have also MET with Iraola. Something that has been acknowledged by the recruitment department is the need for the team to become more physical. That heightens the appeal of Iraola. There is a sense he is capable of scaling up to a bigger job.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other news today\u2026<\/h2>\n

Alonso is being linked more and more with the Chelsea job recently, and one journalist is now saying he\u2019s the \u201cmain target\u201d for the Blues. It\u2019s pretty clear Chelsea want him as the priority.<\/p>\n

Alonso would have the authority to command a dressing room at Chelsea, a key ingredient for the new manager. This helps make him the standout candidate for the head coach role at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips\u2019 SPTC podcast here:<\/em><\/p>\n