Gary Neville feels Chelsea can’very soon’ become a ‘good team’ under new manager Xabi Alonso with the acquisition of four new players.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Alonso will take over at Stamford Bridge in July after signing a four-year deal with the club.
Alonso, who was fired by Real Madrid in January, will become Chelsea’s third manager in a year, after Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
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Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season, winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup, but have regressed this season.
Sitting ninth with two games remaining, Chelsea are in genuine danger of not just failing to qualify for the Champions League but losing out on European competition entirely.
Chelsea had the opportunity to at least somewhat rescue their season in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but were defeated 1-0 by Manchester City at Wembley.
Neville, on the other hand, believes Chelsea are not far from challenging for big trophies again, and has pinpointed three places in which Alonso should improve during his first transfer window.
‘Chelsea have so much inexperience in every sector,’ the Manchester United veteran noted on his Sky Sports podcast. ‘They are inexperienced on the pitch and will need to adapt their model.
In His Worlds?
“This strategy of only signing young players on massive contracts is a big mistake. No one is saying that signing young players is a good idea.”
‘So the first thing I think Xabi Alonso will do is demand a new goalkeeper, a center defense, and a center striker with experience.
‘They have some experience in center midfield with Caicedo, Fernandez, and Lavia, so they can keep them together and have something there.
They also have a few of those quick wingers, but they need a top center forward. I like Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap is young.
‘But they need a top centre striker with muscle and class, a centre defender or two, and, most importantly, a new goalkeeper.
‘This football club has a lot of ability and promise, and it will be a pleasure for me to lead it. Now, the emphasis is on hard effort, developing the proper culture, and winning trophies.
Chelsea faces London rivals Tottenham on Tuesday night before traveling to Sunderland on the final day of the season.
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