News Focus
- Xabi Alonso takes charge at Chelsea to replace Liam Rosenior after a period of poor results
- The 44-year-old previously led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title before managing Real Madrid
- Alonso employs flexible tactical systems, switching between back-four and back-five formations during matches
- Chelsea have granted him the “manager” title rather than “head coach”, though he will share transfer responsibilities with sporting directors
Chelsea have endured a turbulent period since BlueCo acquired the club in 2022. The West London outfit now look to Xabi Alonso to guide them back to the top. The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss faces the task of rebuilding the squad.
Liam Rosenior failed to deliver the progress the board expected. Many observers point to his limited experience at the highest level as a key factor in his struggles.
At 44, Alonso remains relatively young in management terms. However, he brings an outstanding record. He rescued Bayer Leverkusen from second-bottom position in the Bundesliga. The following season, his side claimed the German title without losing a single match.
His tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu ended following disagreements with several star players. Despite these conflicts, he departed with a win rate of 71.4 per cent. This figure represents the highest of any Real Madrid manager during the past ten years.
Alonso adapts his tactical approach according to the players available. Modern coaches often avoid rigid formations. Instead, they focus on core principles. The Spaniard follows this philosophy.
During his time with Real Sociedad B, he frequently used 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shapes. By his final season there, he shifted to 3-4-3. This system brought him great success at Leverkusen. He selects structures based on his own squad and the opposition.
At Real Madrid, he sometimes deployed a back five to counter opponents using similar systems. This proved effective in their Club World Cup victory against Juventus. At Leverkusen, wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo offered width and attacking threat. This made the back-five system particularly effective.
In the Spanish capital, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Franco Mastantuono and Vinicius Junior provided width and flexibility. Consequently, the team often played with a back four. Without the ball, Leverkusen pressed aggressively in a 5-2-3 shape. They maintained a high defensive line.
The Real Madrid squad could not match this intensity. Alonso also faced the challenge of fitting both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior into the defensive structure. He attempted this using a 4-4-2 formation.
Whether beginning with four or five defenders, Alonso’s shapes remain fluid throughout matches. He instructs specific players to occupy different zones as the game develops.
In attacking phases, he positions five players on the last line of defence. These individuals take turns dropping deep to receive passes. From a back-five base, two wing-backs can join three narrow forwards. When starting with a back four, one full-back and one winger can operate on each flank. Three central players then occupy the middle.
Chelsea already possess personnel capable of operating in both systems. Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto have previously moved from defensive positions into central attacking areas under previous managers Enzo Maresca and Rosenior. Alonso may use this versatility.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho naturally play as wingers but have experience as wing-backs. Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda will arrive this summer. The exciting young talent can function as both winger and wing-back. Alonso might deploy him similarly to Frimpong at Leverkusen, alternating between defensive and attacking wide roles.
The manager demands dominance of possession. His teams build attacks inside the opposition half for extended periods. Players concentrate on short passing exchanges in advanced areas.
By positioning themselves near team-mates, Alonso’s sides create tight clusters around the ball. This allows immediate pressing if possession is lost. They can recover the ball quickly and maintain attacking pressure.
These close-quarter interactions crowd the centre of the pitch. This crowding is intentional. Alonso seeks technically gifted players who excel in confined spaces. Such players can unlock stubborn defensive blocks.
Despite the structured approach, Alonso grants creative freedom to exceptional talents. At Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz roamed across the entire width of the pitch. His quality between the lines suited this liberty perfectly. Cole Palmer could receive similar treatment at Chelsea, though he operates differently in tight areas.
This small-space approach works effectively against zonal defences. However, man-to-man marking presents difficulties. Against Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich and Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, Alonso’s teams encountered serious problems.
Following the 2024 Europa League final defeat to Atalanta, Alonso admitted: “We probably tried to play too many passes in the first phase when we should have tried to attract the first player and go long a bit more.”
In a subsequent match against Bayern, Leverkusen employed longer passes more frequently. This demonstrated Alonso’s adaptability. He also adjusted personnel, pushing left wing-back Piero Hincapie and right centre-back Nordi Mukiele into advanced positions. This provided greater physical presence for direct balls.
However, these long-ball tactics failed to create clear chances because the forwards could not retain possession effectively. Joao Pedro offers better hold-up ability than Chelsea’s current wide attackers.
Many of these tactical concepts have succeeded for Alonso and other top coaches. Yet they require the right players to function properly.
Chelsea have appointed Alonso as manager rather than head coach. This marks a change from previous appointments. The club responds to criticism from outside and within the dressing room. It also acknowledges Alonso’s status and experience.
He will not control transfers alone. The five sporting directors will share this duty. Alonso sought reassurances during early discussions, though he reportedly feels enthusiastic about the Stamford Bridge project.
The club already planned to recruit two or three experienced Premier League players. Numerous departures will also occur. These exits will reshape the squad and fund incoming transfers already arranged.