Xabi Alonso can bring Chelsea huge Cole Palmer boost as Liverpool allow free run

As the referee blew the full-time whistle at BayArena on May 18, 2024, Xabi Alonso had achieved the unthinkable with Bayer Leverkusen. In just his second managerial job, his first with a senior team, the 44-year-old wrote himself into German football history books forever.

His side became the first team in Bundesliga history to go a whole season unbeaten - a truly astonishing achievement. Leverkusen had an infamous nickname in Germany, a rather unfortunate one in 'Neverkusen'; a name that mocked the club for not winning a major honour since 1993. A remarkable 31 years later, the nickname 'Neverlusen' was born, and it was all down to Alonso.

But this wasn't about him. Alonso, a modest character, turned around immediately at the end of Leverkusen's invincible-season-clinching win against Augsburg in May 2024 to share the celebrations with his coaching staff.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Alonso predicted he would play an "important role" when taking over Leverkusen in October 2022, who were 17th in the Bundesliga table at the time, but not even the former Spain international could have predicted his significance at BayArena. Not in his wildest dreams.

Europe's big dogs inevitably took notice and for Alonso, it was a direct choice between two former clubs where he enjoyed fantastic spells during his playing days. Real Madrid or Liverpool.

The Reds wanted Alonso in the summer of 2024 to replace Jurgen Klopp. Alonso, though, wanted to stay another season with Leverkusen; stating it was the "right place to develop as a coach".

In the background, though, Alonso's escape plan was already decided. Real Madrid, 12 months later. Alonso moved to the Santiago Bernabeu at the start of the 2025/26 season but - in perhaps the most scrutinised job in world football - departed his role less than eight months after his appointment.

When it was announced Alonso would be leaving Los Blancos in January, his next move seemed inevitable. Liverpool fans had started to turn on Arne Slot, whose side have massively underperformed in their Premier League title defence. However, the top brass at Anfield have kept their faith in Slot, at least until the end of the season. Reports claim Liverpool want to give Slot another go next term and back him in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Liverpool and Chelsea have gone head-to-head in multiple transfer battles over recent seasons; Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and most recently, Jeremy Jacquet. This time, though, despite the obvious links to Liverpool, Chelsea are seemingly being allowed a free run at Alonso.

From the Blues' perspective, that is incredibly fortunate. A young manager, who fits everything BlueCo wants from a coach right there in front of them. There have been talks between Chelsea and Alonso's representatives, sources say, as the west Londoners look for an appointment before the World Cup starts next month.

Chelsea are prepared to back Alonso in the summer, with the squad requiring surgery after an extremely disappointing campaign in the Premier League. If they give him the keys, it could be the start of a really exciting time at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso is a tactically flexible coach - no surprise given the time he spent as a player under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. During Alonso's days with Leverkusen, he favoured a 3-4-2-1 formation and wanted his players to be expansive in possession and prepared to run through fire to win the ball back.

Alonso got the best out of Florian Wirtz during Leverkusen's unbeaten season, with the Germany international, now at Liverpool, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Wirtz has struggled in his debut campaign in the Premier League with Liverpool, which is one of the many reasons Reds supporters are keen for Alonso to move to Anfield this summer. Getting the best out of a talented No.10 was easy for Alonso, he said: "I only have to support that talent, and I only need to create players that will help him shine and to show that talent, because if you don't provide that sustainability, that talent won't be consistent."

Reading that, Chelsea supporters won't be able to contain their excitement at the prospect of Alonso coaching Cole Palmer, someone who has struggled this season. Many will point towards the fitness issues Palmer has had, but he has not been allowed to play with as much freedom as he would like. His best season at Stamford Bridge came under Mauricio Pochettino, who allowed the England international the chance to express himself on the pitch.

Alonso got the very best out of his attacking players at Leverkusen but there was also a big focus on the defensive side of things. Throughout the course of their historic 2023/24 league season, Alonso's team conceded just 24 goals. The next closest in that regard were second-place Stuttgart, who shipped 39 goals. Sir Alex Ferguson famously once said, "a good attack will win you games, but a good defence will win you titles", a sentiment shared by Alonso. During his time in Madrid, he said: "Defence is a fundamental part of our identity. Defence wins titles."

Chelsea's defensive record this season is shocking. The Blues have already conceded 49 goals this term - six more than the 2024/25 campaign with still two matches remaining - meaning only eight teams in the Premier League have let in more than the west Londoners.

Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior both bemoaned Chelsea's defensive mistakes this season and it is an area the club so desperately need to sort out before they can even think about competing in the Premier League again.

The Blues are prioritising signing a starting-level centre-back this summer, sources say, and would like the new head coach, Alonso or someone else, to be involved in the recruitment. For Alonso, that will be a big deal because if Chelsea were to restrict the next head coach's involvement in what happens behind the scenes, it would surely put the former Spain midfielder off moving to Stamford Bridge.

From Alonso's perspective, his next move is crucial. He still maintains an excellent reputation - people realise the Real Madrid madhouse and what it can do to even the best managers. He's almost been given a free pass in that regard.

If BlueCo's treatment of previous head coaches is anything to go by, then Alonso might think twice before accepting the job. However, all the noises suggest Alonso wants to come back into management this summer and BlueCo are hoping the Chelsea job comes at the perfect time for the Anfield favourite.

Click here to read article