Tag: Xabi

Chelsea analysis: No Joao Pedro, no goals as Xabi Alonso’s problems mount
19 September 2026 Off

Chelsea analysis: No Joao Pedro, no goals as Xabi Alonso’s problems mount

By Total Football News

Chelsea signed a striker from Brighton for the second successive summer, bringing in Welbeck to reunite him with Joao Pedro and provide support in attack.

Welbeck, 35, was tidy in possession but, with little service, managed only 17 touches before being substituted in the 71st minute.

Unlike Joao Pedro, who is capable of creating chances for himself, Welbeck found it difficult to influence the game in the same way.

Joao

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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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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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Xabi Alonso’s first Chelsea match was a tale of four strikers
28 July 2026 Off

Xabi Alonso’s first Chelsea match was a tale of four strikers

By Total Football News

Xabi Alonso’s first match as Chelsea manager was defined by four strikers – an untouchable one, one that struggled again and could leave, a promising talent, and one that could join.

The star was Joao Pedro, who scored a nine-minute hat-trick to help Alonso’s side to a 6-4 win against Western Sydney Wanderers in a match that highlighted the gulf between Premier League and A-League teams.

Perhaps it was the

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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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What will £117m Morgan Rogers bring to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea
20 July 2026 Off

What will £117m Morgan Rogers bring to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea

By Total Football News

Palmer first performed his ‘cold’ celebration in December 2023 after scoring two goals in a 3-2 win at Luton.

He has since taken ownership of the celebration, literally, registering a trademark for it with the UK Intellectual Property Office after scoring two goals against Luton.

However, it was first meant as a tribute to Rogers as he performed the celebration after a goal for Middlesbrough against West Brom.

It was

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Inside Xabi Alonso’s first week at Chelsea with secret friendlies
14 July 2026 Off

Inside Xabi Alonso’s first week at Chelsea with secret friendlies

By Total Football News

Alonso and his wife, Nagore Aranburu, are in the process of finding a permanent home in London. The city itself was a major attraction for the couple, who are interested in culture, film and music and have teenage children.

They remained in Spain until the day before the first training session. During that time, Alonso worked remotely on transfer business with Chelsea‘s five-strong sporting director team, with whom he

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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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Chelsea close in on £43m Marco Palestra as Xabi Alonso’s first signing
23 June 2026 Off

Chelsea close in on £43m Marco Palestra as Xabi Alonso’s first signing

By Total Football News

Chelsea are set to make Atalanta defender Marco Palestra the first signing for new boss Xabi Alonso for a fee in excess of £43m.

Palestra had been expected to join Italian champions Inter Milan following a successful loan spell at Cagliari last season, where he was named Serie A’s best defender.

However, after 24 hours of talks, the Premier League club have emerged as the 21-year-old’s preferred destination as sources

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