It’s the first day of the 2026-27 preseason, and it’s the first day of Xabi Alonso getting to work at Cobham. And so, it’s time for his first interview as well. That’s a lot of firsts, and it’s a bit of theme. We are starting anew with a new manager, but in a way, we’re also starting anew with the team after yet another disastrous campaign. For the second time in four years, we’re completely Europe-less and it feels like we’re back to zero once again.
Talk of titles and proper ambitions only echoes
through history at this point. Alonso, who’s officially a “manager” and not just a “head coach” for whatever that’s worth, knows that the task is more complicated than just getting the team back to winning ways. First, we need to actually make a team, before we can create the culture.
“[We need to] share a feeling we are doing things the right way and that we are on the right path to success.
“We know that success is a consequence of good work, of quality decisions, of the good culture that we want to build. That’s the beauty of such a complex but nice process with so many people involved. Always getting the best out of everyone, and everyone is committed with the last goal that is being the best we can and giving our best. If we all share, day by day, that feeling, we can be optimistic about the future.”
“[We] want to share that belief that good things will come if we are together and we create this strength, this power that the club has. It has to come from us to bring this energy, but together we can achieve great things in the coming years.”
-Xabi Alonso; source: Chelsea FC
Similar messages had come from all those who have stood in the dugout in the last few seasons, so … yeah. But if there’s any time to be hopeful, it’s the summer. Share that feeling, boys and girls!
So, not sure this bit of Ted Lasso-ing inspired me much at all, but if it inspired you to see what else Alonso had to say on his first day, you’re going to have to subscribe to Chelsea’s new premium subscription service, “CFC+” (£15/$20 for the year). Maybe we can put that on the front of the shirt.
In any case, welcome, Xabi! Let’s get back to winning some things!
