Online Reporter
SOMETHING at Chelsea needs to change, and it isn’t just the manager.
Liam Rosenior is already out of the door but everyone knows the issues go way beyond the manager.
Chelsea are short in both boxes and have a £200million+ midfield duo who still need someone else alongside them to be functional.
So whoever the next head coach is, they are unlikely to pull a Thomas Tuchel and turn this group of young hopefuls into Champions League contenders. That is what some of the FIVE sporting directors may dream of, but they will need more than just a new boss to do that.
Maybe it is why Xabi Alonso is the current figure being pursued the most. According to reports in Argentina, former Real Madrid player and manager Alonso is the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.
As the Blues make initial contact with potential candidates, it is ex-Bayer Leverkusen man Alonso who they are progressing towards.
With experience at the elite level, trophies won both on the pitch and in the dugout, and insider Prem knowledge from his time in England, the Spaniard ticks a lot of boxes.
But, like anyone else, Alonso will need additions to his squad if he is to work his magic.
So here is how he could line-up at SW6 after a summer window behind him.
Potential Chelsea XI under Alonso
Alonso’s big call at Leverkusen was turning to a back three – and it worked spectacularly.
He had wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong storming teams with their attack, anchoring it with the know-how of Granit Xhaka.
If he went that way at Chelsea, some serious changes would be needed.
Given how many defenders are likely to leave, serious reinforcement would be needed, and Alessandro Bastoni is one of the best out there.
He is proven in a back three, as is Sporting’s dominant Ousmane Diomande.
Behind them, 20-year-old giant Mike Penders returns from loan – although maybe a season too soon.
To shield the backline, Moises Caicedo keeps his place but Enzo Fernandez is off.
He has flirted with Real Madrid one too many times and, in a bid to try and ease their financial struggles, Chelsea cash in on him.
They do spend big on a replacement with Aston Villa‘s Amadou Onana making this an extremely strong core.
Having made his name as a wingback, Reece James is an obvious pick on the right, even if the physical demands will test his body.
Marc Cucurella is less used to this shape but slots in. Geovany Quenda provides him some competition.
In the front line, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer continue their linkup but the troubled left wing spot is taken by new addition Anthony Gordon.
He is a target for the club and has Prem class, even if some aren’t too enamoured with his quality.
Alternative Chelsea XI under Alonso
If the first team is an expensively assembled group with some unrealistic buys then this one is maybe more likely.
There’s a change in goal with Mike Maignan replacing Robert Sanchez one year later than some had hoped.
And instead of Bastoni, it’s the impressive Jorrel Hato. He has been one of the few bright sparks of the past month.
Instead of buying another big midfielder, Andrey Santos is trusted with doing Fernandez’s creating and defending.
Romeo Lavia is there as backup – if he can stay fit in this hypothetical world.
The wingbacks stay the same and the attack is similar, but Joao Pedro drops in to be a roaming No10 with Nicolas Jackson returning from his loan. He starts up front and gets to reignite his relationship with Palmer as well – Sun.
