Xabi Alonso don land for Chelsea, players dey happy

Xabi Alonso don take over as Chelsea new manager from July 1, and the players dey excited about am. The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss don get big task to bring back the London club to top level.

Alonso, 44, don show say he be proper coach. At Leverkusen, he take side wey dey second from bottom and turn dem into unbeaten Bundesliga champions. Even though im time for Real Madrid end with wahala with some stars, the Spaniard don learn plenty lessons.

Inside source say Alonso go bring im own style. He no dey stick to one formation; instead he get principles wey he drill into im players. For Real Sociedad B, he start with 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, but later move to 3-4-3 wey he use well for Leverkusen. He dey choose formation based on im players and opponent.

For example, for Leverkusen, he use back five because wing-backs like Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo dey attack well. For Madrid, with players like Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, he often use back four. Out of possession, Leverkusen press high with 5-2-3 shape, but Madrid players no fit apply same intensity.

Alonso want im side to dominate ball and play many short passes for opponent half. He want players to cluster around ball so dem fit press if dem lose am. This make centre of pitch crowded, but na deliberate. He dey look for technical players wey fit thrive for small spaces, like Florian Wirtz wey get freedom to roam.

But sometimes this style no work against man-to-man defending. For Europa League final loss to Atalanta, Alonso admit dem try too many passes. Later against Bayern Munich, dem go long more, showing he fit adapt. He push left wing-back Piero Hincapie and right centre-back Nordi Mukiele into attack to get physical presence.

Alonso don come as manager, not head coach like im predecessors. Na sign say Chelsea dey adapt after criticism. He go share transfer responsibility with five sporting directors. Chelsea dey plan to target two or three senior players with Premier League experience, and plenty players go leave.

Calum McFarlane wey act as interim coach go stay on Alonso staff, along with goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts and set piece coach Bernardo Cueva. Alonso go bring four members from im Real Madrid staff, including assistant Sebastian Parrilla, coaches Alberto Encinas and Beñat Labaien, and fitness coach Ismael Camenforte.

Players like Jorrel Hato don talk say dem dey excited. After 2-1 win against Tottenham, Hato say: “I know him as player and he do well for Leverkusen. He big name coming up, so I dey very excited.” Hato believe say Chelsea make good decision.

If Chelsea win dem last game against Sunderland, dem fit finish for Europa League spot. Hato say: “Chelsea is big club and we must be for Europe. We go on Sunday to win game and secure spot.”