Xabi Alonso faces a massive challenge at Chelsea before a ball is even kicked. The new Blues boss has arrived at Stamford Bridge as the successor to Liam Rosenior on a four-year contract. And he has plenty of work to do before he gathers his players for pre-season training, according to former Chelsea and Ireland defender Terry Phelan . Phelan, who spent two years at the Premier League side, says the size of Alonso ’s squad and the number of players out on loan is
a headache for the new boss. “That’s a mess,” he said, speaking to MirrorSport via NetBet online casino . “It’s like spaghetti junction. He’s going to have to unravel it. It’s a tough one.” Chelsea have seven players whose loan deals officially expire at the end of June, including Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season at Bayern Munich. Integrating them back into the first-team squad will be one of Alonso’s early priorities, with Phelan continuing: “It all boils down to how he starts
off. “If he starts off well, then he’s got a chance. If he doesn’t, then the noise will start. But you’ve got to give him a chance. “They brought him in, he did wonderfully well in Germany (with Bayer Leverkusen), had nonchalant players at Real Madrid that acted like babies. “I think at Chelsea he’ll bring fresh ideas. He likes to be on the training field, I think he could still play, I think he could still pull his boots on and play in that
midfield. “But I think he has got to go in there with an open mind, see what he’s got, and he’s got to gel the younger players together. “Chelsea have got a massive squad. If they don’t get it right now, will they ever get it right? Or will they go into freefall? It’s a big season for Chelsea this year, a massive season.” Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
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Xabi Alonso, Chelsea, Liam Rosenior, Terry Phelan, Stamford Bridge, pre-season, loan deals, Nicolas Jackson, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, squad size