Xabi Alonso Chelsea project has reached a crucial stage after the new boss has set out to make his team hungry and tougher in the coming Premier League campaign. The club has finished 10th in the league and a trophyless season has seen a need for the club to review how they perform and what they are lacking in their structure.
As he takes over for his first season, Alonso set up a pretty clear benchmarks system around intensity, discipline and continuous improvement. His messages are all about taking responsibility within the team and he is saying that winning the Premier League is not just about the result, it’s about how they play the game at the micro level.
As for tactics, Alonso suggested that the identity of the Chelsea team would not be based on reactionary football, but instead around their own style of play. This indicates a system approach, refining positional structure, pressing triggers and ball progression patterns will be worked on pre-season.
Roster relations are still an issue. Winger Alejandro Garnacho remains in a state of limbo, with uncertain prospects, as a result of the interest generated by outside clubs, and reflects the ongoing efforts of Chelsea to “refine” their squad. Garnacho’s contributions last season (11 goals in 24 games) puts him in a review bracket as the club looks at efficiency and potential upside.
Domestically, the season is meant to be a serious test for Chelsea, who have played in a league that doesn’t feature Europe’s big five giants and do not enter any European competition. Alonso’s focus on hunger and improvement is in line with the club’s desire to regain a competitive mantle and return to the top-tier.
