2 hours ago, JM7 said:

Do the Liverpool connections bother you at all? Poch never really looked comfortable being here.

I think we’re so desperate for success that we’ll accept anyone.

Previous connections don't bother me that much TBH.

To most footballers or managers it's just a job and they will happily manage or play for arch enemies if it suits them (think back to George Graham, Carlos Tevez or Sol Campbell for examples).

The main reason I didn't like Rafa was more to do with what he used to say about us - he said things about Robben and Drogba always diving and he said he'd never mange a club like Chelsea and was always trying to score points with the scousers by constantly having a dig at us.

Yet despite all that he still took the Chelsea job when offered it.

Most players or managers won't love certain clubs like us fans despite what they say when employed by them at that particular time, so I don't waste bandwidth on things like Xabi and his previous Liverpool connections.

I rated him as a player, I liked him more after he left Liverpool, I'm happy we've got him as a manager nd the fact it's pi**ing off the scousers makes it better.

I loved Fabregas as Chelsea player despite his Arsenal connection so similarly Xabi being an ex Liverpool makes any possible success he has here even sweeeter.

Edited May 17May 17 by 2211

Seems like a good portion of the fanbase reactions are ones that think BlueCo are changing.

Exactly as the pre planned PR aimed for to forget our FA cup failure/season failure/protesting.

All the head coaches and BlueCo announcements of head coaches have featured the same sentiments and have all ended the same way.

13 hours ago, Jezz said:

It's just been announced.

Xabi Alonso appointed Chelsea manager

I guess it means more of Cucurella..ugh!!!! worse defender in the league by far.

6 hours ago, Bebe1980 said:

Augurs well, fluent English and Spanish, what could possibly go wrong?

He plays Cucurella every game…ugh!!!

4 hours ago, JM7 said:

Do the Liverpool connections bother you at all? Poch never really looked comfortable being here.

I think we’re so desperate for success that we’ll accept anyone.

No. Xabi Alonso wasn't there that long, it's not like Benitez or even Pochettino who had a heated relationship with us when they were at Liverpool and Tottenham.

As long as they give him the players he needs

It will be interesting to see if he adopts Leverkusen's back 3 or a more traditional back 4.

10 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Seems like a good portion of the fanbase reactions are ones that think BlueCo are changing.

Exactly as the pre planned PR aimed for to forget our FA cup failure/season failure/protesting.

All the head coaches and BlueCo announcements of head coaches have featured the same sentiments and have all ended the same way.

Rain. Parade.

10 hours ago, CFCCAN said:

I guess it means more of Cucurella..ugh!!!! worse defender in the league by far.

That sort of defines hyperbole.

For me the symbolism of being appointed manager rather than head coach doesn't lie with the purchasing of players. We all get our panties twisted regarding this youth policy, mainly because it is dross that we overpay for. Everybody is buying young, fast players that all have resale potential. That's the nature of the market. The fact that Xabi will be part of that process is encouraging mainly, for me, because i am hopeful that his talent ID is better than the SD idiots that we have and hopefully the players recruited will fit with the squad dynamic and requirements (i.e. not getting 7 wingers and no CB).

For me the most important aspect is the team selection and in game management interference that we have undoubtedly all witness. I agree upon a collaborative approach and i get that managing minutes is essential now in an environment where the Reserves no longer exists as an area for players to work back to match fitness, but the ultimate in game decision must lie with the manager. It has to. If the intent is to bring Palmer off after 70 minutes in a game but he is tearing it up and indicates that he is fine then it must be the manager's decision whether to continue to play him. That is the purpose of squads, to cope with injured players.

If Xabi wants to create mentality monsters they all have to be fit and ready at all times, for the entirety of their time on pitch. Nursing players through matches and managing minutes not only disrupts the flow of Xabi's in game management as matches unfold, but also breeds an environment where players become aware of the consequences of full blooded match competition. These doubts will breed mental weakness as well.

For me, much as we love them, Reece James and Lavia need to maintain fitness to play and if they are unable to maintain this throughout matches then, sadly we need to find players that can. I am not singling them out as there are others. Fofana, for instance, appears to be a bit of a sick note, imo, who may well have had some serious injuries in the past which might have got into his head. I am not saying that we have to intentionally run these players into the ground but I am saying that the manager must be able to win games whilst they are ongoing and not have to stick to some pre-ordained SD/Medical prescribed bullsh*t

For the first time under the current Owners' stewardship, I am already looking forward to the new season. I have been so disenchanted with the entire Club, but especially the devoid of ability & personality, Head Coaches that the DOF's have chosen thus far. Although, I must admit to actually warming to Pochetinho, which I didn't think was possible.

I am very optimistic with Alonso. He did a brilliant job at Leverkusen and did an excellent job too (70% win rate) at Real Madrid, until the Owners chose their toxic bunch of Superstars over Alonso's tactics and discipline. I think he will be given the players he wants and needs, with the colossal list of junk shown the exit door. This will be the open admission by the Club, that the "project" or "process" undertaken by the DOF's had indeed failed. I very much hope that they will both be gone by 1st August.

Most of all though, I am delighted that Alonso has agreed (chosen) to come to Chelsea, despite Liverpool's interest and before they finally made up their mind, which I think was coming. I would love to see us batter them at Anfield next season, and see Xabi jumping up and down on the touchline 😃😃

Took those in charge 4 years to realize the need of a real manager in charge, and get some proper players, I suppose it's better be really late than never . Let's say how much they back him in the transfer window. I'd like to see some dead weights out, I'm sure Alonso will improve players, just can't expect him to improve 10-25 of them.

Sanchez

James Colwill Hato

? Caicedo A.Santos Barco

Palmer Fernandez

J.Pedro

Assuming RJ can't play Rb/RWB anymore, we need someone better than Gusto down the touchline. I'd prefer Lewis Hall at LWB, but Barco seems likely given the BlueCo link and would fit the role well. Ideally Estevao next to Palmer, but Enzo is the poster boy.

7 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Sanchez

James Colwill Hato

? Caicedo A.Santos Barco

Palmer Fernandez

J.Pedro

Assuming RJ can't play Rb/RWB anymore, we need someone better than Gusto down the touchline. I'd prefer Lewis Hall at LWB, but Barco seems likely given the BlueCo link and would fit the role well. Ideally Estevao next to Palmer, but Enzo is the poster boy.

Yes, Gusto MUST go but also, please NOT Sanchez.

I know we go around in circles and say he's not a bad shot-stopper and he's okay when he doesn't have to play with his feet, but ALL serious teams who win things, ALWAYS have a great goalkeeper and Sanchez will never be that. We must have a better No.1.

15 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Yes, Gusto MUST go but also, please NOT Sanchez.

I know we go around in circles and say he's not a bad shot-stopper and he's okay when he doesn't have to play with his feet, but ALL serious teams who win things, ALWAYS have a great goalkeeper and Sanchez will never be that. We must have a better No.1.

I agree, i just don't see who we bring in. The long term plan seems to be Penders but no way is he ready yet.

On 17/05/2026 at 10:40, AlienX said:

Just got to hope that we give him enough time, backing and our full support. I know that we the supporters can do that for sure!

I wouldn't be too sure. Given our recent form, lose the first friendly and it will be Shabby Please Go, Xabi All Wrong So, etc, etc

I'm fine with keeping Sanchez if Ben Roberts & Shields f**k off and stop deploying the short passing. Alonso's football is very much vertical.

I'm hoping we don't play a 3 at the back, and I don't think Alonso will.

No more frauds in the dugout.

1 hour ago, GarnachoCheese said:

I agree, i just don't see who we bring in. The long term plan seems to be Penders but no way is he ready yet.

This is the point. How many elite goalkeepers are there that tick the boxes. Once identified how many of those are prepared to play for a team that a) are not in the CL and b) do not pay top wages.

1 hour ago, Liam said:

I wouldn't be too sure. Given our recent form, lose the first friendly and it will be Shabby Please Go, Xabi All Wrong So, etc, etc

But win his opener and it'll be Shabby Ranks number 1 😁

31 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No more frauds in the dugout.

and yet every silver lining seems to have a cloud

37 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No more frauds in the dugout.

Joe Shields would never allow a dugout without a few of his spies!

13 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Joe Shields would never allow a dugout without a few of his spies!

Sad state of work experience.

You just know we will now be playing either Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City within the first couple of fixtures of the new season when the fixtures are released in June 😁

Edited May 18May 18 by 2211

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No more frauds in the dugout.

Please tell me we keep the valuable services of the Ineffectual Short Corner Coach, the Ridiculous Pre-Match Huddle Coach and the Mental Resilience Until The 65th Minute And Then Crumble Coach!