{"id":8148,"date":"2026-05-14T02:55:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8148"},"modified":"2026-05-14T02:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:55:17","slug":"why-jimmy-floyd-hasselbaink-thinks-xabi-alonso-could-struggle-as-chelsea-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8148","title":{"rendered":"Why Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thinks Xabi Alonso could struggle as Chelsea manager"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea are strongly pursuing a deal to hire Xabi Alonso having set a deadline in their hunt for a new manager, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thinks the Spaniard may struggle at Stamford Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues want a manager in place by the middle of next month, to allow the new gaffer to work with the transfer team at Stamford Bridge, as well as being in charge for the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.<\/p>\n

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Xabi Alonso just screams Chelsea manager \ud83d\ude0d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Alonso is first choice as things stand, with the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid manager out of work since January. Talks for Alonso have been positive but he is not the only one on Chelsea\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n

Concerns over Alonso waiting for the Liverpool job remain alive, but the Reds are not planning to sack Arne Slot this summer. However, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thinks Alonso could struggle in West London.<\/p>\n

BlueCo need to change for Xabi Alonso to thrive at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, former Chelsea striker Hasselbaink gave his take on Alonso\u2019s potential arrival at his old club. He believes Alonso is a good manager, but has identified a problem.<\/p>\n

Hasselbaink believes that Alonso, or any manager coming in at Chelsea, needs to be \u201cgiven the keys\u201d to manage the club as he pleases. Something which Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca struggled with.<\/p>\n

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Indeed, Mauricio Pochettino said he only actually made two signings of his own at Chelsea, in defender Axel Disasi and England star Cole Palmer. Hasselbaink was asked if he thinks BlueCo will take a step back. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a question for them, but I think that\u2019s the only way it will work. Players need to know the manager is in charge for football decisions and the moment they know that, they will run harder, they do their best.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if you\u2019re going to choose Alonso, give him the keys and trust the process. Trust the process and let him lead. I don\u2019t think he did badly at\u00a0Real Madrid. He was still within touching distance of\u00a0Barcelona.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which other managers are on Chelsea\u2019s radar this summer?<\/h2>\n

It will come as no surprise that Andoni Iraola is the next on Chelsea\u2019s list. The Bournemouth manager is leaving the Vitality this summer and has been consistently linked with the Blues since Liam Rosenior\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n

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CHELSEA PLAYER OF THE SEASON \u2013 FINAL!<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Then, Fulham manager Marco Silva is also being considered. But the Portuguese gaffer has interest from other clubs, such as Nottingham Forest and a reunion with Evangelos Marinakis. Benfica are also keen.<\/p>\n

Beyond the top three, Cesc Fabregas has been considered but he is expected to remain at Como. Filipe Luis is another, having left Flamengo earlier this year and Crystal Palace\u2019s Oliver Glasner is also a target.<\/p>\n

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