The phrase is usually credited to former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who described his charges as “[FUNNING] mentality monsters” after their famous comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semifinals. Chelsea FC Women manager Emma Hayes would use it famously a couple years later as well, after a similar comeback at the same stage of competition against Bayern Munich.
Now, it’s Xabi Alonso’s turn, in a slightly different context but hopefully with a similar outcome in the end.
With Chelsea
announcing Alonso’s appointment this morning, The Guardian and the Mail talk about how the 44-year-old blew BlueCo’s minds in their talks by telling them that he wants to make Chelsea into “mentality monsters” as well. In turn, the powers that be have agreed to grant him powers beyond just coaching — prompted also by the spectacular failure of Liam Rosenior proving that coaches do matter after all and are not just interchangeable parts — and signifying that notion by giving Alonso the title of “manager” as well (their idea, apparently, not his). José Mourinho over a decade ago was the last man to carry that title officially at this club.
And though Alonso won’t officially start in his role until July 1, he will surely get to work right away. We have lots to do to reshape the squad. Alonso wants to “sign” as well as “create” these mentality monsters, with “a world-class goalkeeper, sharper wingers, consistency in central defence and more support for João Pedro up front” at the top of the list of things needed to mold this team in that image. Our approach is expected to be “more flexible when it comes to age” as well, as we are still the youngest squad in the league.
We’ve done a lot of work in the last twelve months to undo the promise of last summer’s Club World Cup triumph. Now it’s going to take even more work to get us back on track. It’s far from guaranteed that Alonso can do it. But he gives us the best chance right now.
