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Xabi Alonso - New Chelsea Manager

Jezz said:
Much better second half in the end. Big relief to win today after a challenging week.

Still comfortably in the top 5 and a win against Sunderland next weekend would set us up nicely going into the next international break.
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Amazing what a difference confidence makes.
 
We would have lost that game today under previous managers so that’s a plus but I’ve been far from convinced with Alonso so far.

I’d rather start the season relatively poorly and improve over the season than be like Maresca’s teams where they start great then regress over the season and end up looking like a pub team.

It’s beginning to happen at City and I couldn’t be happier for the prick.

Alonso needs time to get his squad together and I expect us to be very busy in January.
 
bluelightening said:
How are we worse? This time last season so says chat.

Chelsea had 14 points after 9 games in the 2025/26 Premier League season, as of 31 October 2025.

Their record was:
  • Played: 9
  • Won: 4
  • Drawn: 2
  • Lost: 3
  • Goals scored: 17
  • Goals conceded: 11
  • Goal difference: +6
  • Position: 9th
Their ninth match was a 2–1 defeat against Sunderland on 25 October 2025
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Even in our first season under Maresca, where he was started quite well with the momentum from Poch's end of season run, we had 17 points from first 9 games so not exactly much different from now.
 
Estevao showed his talent and willingness to work for the team today.

When JP is fit Alonso needs to come up with a way he, Palmer, Rogers and Estevao all play.

I Remeber something JT has said in the past regarding Hazard. Jose told the rest of the team they needed to work extra hard to make up for Hazard not doing much for defensive duties because Eden was "better than all of you".

Well that front 4 is better than anything else the league can put together as a unit of 4. So Alonso and the rest of the team need to figure it out how to make it work for us defensively as well because they will make us better.
 
Noticed the little tweak of Lavia dropping between the CBs in the 2nd half made a big difference.

I know he didn't have the best first showing, but I'd like to see Emegha play instead of Neto up top. It's clear we need some sort of focal point, and at least Emegha is mobile enough to drag defenders + drop deep when needed.

I think against United's dog awful midfield we could afford to play a pivot, but against better midfields I am not sure the 4 attackers would work.
 
Sconnie Blue said:
Noticed the little tweak of Lavia dropping between the CBs in the 2nd half made a big difference.

I know he didn't have the best first showing, but I'd like to see Emegha play instead of Neto up top. It's clear we need some sort of focal point, and at least Emegha is mobile enough to drag defenders + drop deep when needed.

I think against United's dog awful midfield we could afford to play a pivot, but against better midfields I am not sure the 4 attackers would work.
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Emegha seems very volatile .. the VVD episode when he came on was crazy.. let him come on last 10-15 mins for now.. but I agree without Jao it seems difficult.. do we have news on him on how long will he be out - been 2 weeks already.
 
Emeghas previous reputation for a lack of maturity seems well earned, has a lot of growing up to do fast.

Don't think he makes it here, perhaps another singing to try and make money on like that Brazilian winger we signed early in the BlueCo era and flogged to Saudi.
 
Emegha should’ve never been signed, anyone who had watched even 5 minutes of Strasbourg would be able to tell you that. Panichelli was the ST to poach if we were going to.
Hopefully as it’s a ‘previous regime’ signing he’s moved on ASAP and we don’t have to suffer him too long, essentially imagine Fofana playing up top.
 
Got to say i warmed to him after his charge at VVD. It was ridiculous and mad and temperamental... I thought, brilliant, a 6.5 Ballotelli, then he played like him on his worst days, a couple of neat hold-ups/links of play but largely forgettable and missed a penalty. Will keep an open mind until January about him as he's here until then. Fingers crossed he becomes some sort of Demba bar success story for us.
 
Sconnie Blue said:
Noticed the little tweak of Lavia dropping between the CBs in the 2nd half made a big difference.

I know he didn't have the best first showing, but I'd like to see Emegha play instead of Neto up top. It's clear we need some sort of focal point, and at least Emegha is mobile enough to drag defenders + drop deep when needed.

I think against United's dog awful midfield we could afford to play a pivot, but against better midfields I am not sure the 4 attackers would work.
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It didn't work against united
 
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