Tag: Alonso

Joao Pedro: Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso says striker like Karim Benzema and as good as Erling Haaland
11 September 2026 Off

Joao Pedro: Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso says striker like Karim Benzema and as good as Erling Haaland

By Total Football News

Unlike Haaland, who is a specialist goalscorer, Joao Pedro has played as a midfielder, number 10 and winger during his career and possesses a more rounded skillset.

Alonso, who made 195 appearances alongside former Ballon d’Or winner Benzema at Real Madrid, said there were also similarities between the Frenchman and Joao Pedro.

“In many things he reminds me of Benzema, because he is good in the box, he is good

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Fulham v Chelsea: Rafa Benitez on former players Alonso and Arbeloa as managers
24 August 2026 Off

Fulham v Chelsea: Rafa Benitez on former players Alonso and Arbeloa as managers

By Total Football News

It is not just Alonso and Arbeloa who are among Benitez’s former Liverpool players to have moved into management.

He reels off more than 20 names who have become coaches or managers, a list including Wales boss Craig Bellamy. He also points out that Djimi Traore is now an assistant coach at Seattle Sounders.

“I sent him to the shower at half-time in the Champions League final [in 2005],” he

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Chelsea: Xabi Alonso heals Real Madrid scars to lead Blues’ senior revolution
2 August 2026 Off

Chelsea: Xabi Alonso heals Real Madrid scars to lead Blues’ senior revolution

By Total Football News

Alonso held discreet meetings in London and his hometown of San Sebastian over three weeks in early May to ensure Chelsea was the right fit.

Despite questions as to why he chose the Blues over his former club Liverpool, there was no offer on the table from the latter.

“I had a view of Chelsea from the outside,” he explained, revealing how carefully he considered the move to Stamford

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Morgan Rogers: Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has ‘plan’ for record signing to play alongside Cole Palmer
27 July 2026 Off

Morgan Rogers: Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has ‘plan’ for record signing to play alongside Cole Palmer

By Total Football News

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he has a “plan” to play club record £117m signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer – and believes the England international will make an “instant impact”.

The midfielder became the most expensive British player of all-time when he moved from Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge last week.

The 24-year-old is on holiday after playing for England at the World Cup, while Chelsea have begun their

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Chelsea: How Xabi Alonso will use Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer
24 July 2026 Off

Chelsea: How Xabi Alonso will use Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer

By Total Football News

It is difficult to clearly define Rogers by a fixed position.

As with all players, getting the best from them means appreciating the wider role they are capable of. A player’s ideal role can also change depending on the players around them and the opposition’s set-up.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gave Rogers a major role in the side’s recent successes, something that contributed to his hefty transfer fee.

Emery’s

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Xabi Alonso: New Chelsea manager wants to keep Enzo Fernandez
14 July 2026 Off

Xabi Alonso: New Chelsea manager wants to keep Enzo Fernandez

By Total Football News

Alonso entered the Drake Suite, which celebrates Chelsea‘s league title-winning managers, and said it was a “privilege and honour” to lead a club with such a successful history.

He has been training a large squad, including Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill, at Cobham, with only eight Chelsea players away at the World Cup.

The 44-year-old explained his reasons for joining Chelsea after Enzo Maresca left in January,

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Football gossip: Alexander-Arnold, Rayan, Alonso, Anselmino, Meite
26 January 2026 Off

Football gossip: Alexander-Arnold, Rayan, Alonso, Anselmino, Meite

By Total Football News

Wrexham have registered interest in Southampton striker Adam Armstrong, 28, with Saints wanting £15m for the Englishman. (Alan Nixon – requires subscription)

Middlesbrough have beaten Birmingham City to a loan deal for Brighton and Ecuador winger Jeremy Sarmiento, which includes an obligation to buy the 23-year-old on a four-and-a-half-year deal for £3.2m. (Fabrizio Romano)

Birmingham have entered final negotiations for Deportivo Alaves winger Carlos Vicente in

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Xabi Alonso: Bayer Leverkusen boss announces decision to stay at club amid Liverpool interest
29 March 2024 0

Xabi Alonso: Bayer Leverkusen boss announces decision to stay at club amid Liverpool interest

By Total Football News
Breaking news

Xabi Alonso says he will remain in his role as Bayer Leverkusen manager next season despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

“I feel this is the right place to be for me as a young coach,” said Alonso.

Leverkusen are on the brink of a first Bundesliga title and unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Alonso, the 42-year-old ex-Liverpool midfielder, was also seen as a candidate to take over

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Xabi Alonso: Liverpool eye other candidates with Bayer Leverkusen set to keep Spanish boss
28 March 2024 0

Xabi Alonso: Liverpool eye other candidates with Bayer Leverkusen set to keep Spanish boss

By Total Football News
Why Leverkusen’s Alonso is wanted by Europe’s biggest clubs

Liverpool expect Xabi Alonso to stay at Bayer Leverkusen this summer and are to consider other candidates to replace manager Jurgen Klopp.

Leverkusen are on the brink of a first Bundesliga title and are unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness said a move for Alonso this summer is “probably impossible”.

Alonso was also seen as

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