Xabi Alonso has officially started work as Chelsea manager, and the spotlight is on him to solve a host of problems on and off the pitch. The former World Cup winner has little time to waste as he sets about remoulding an already expensively assembled playing squad. In my opinion, the Spaniard's arrival with the title of manager is an indication of the significant role he will play in reshaping the club. Personally, I think this is an exciting development, as it shows that the club is serious about its future and is willing to invest in a manager with a proven track record. However, the challenges are clear. Four years after BlueCo's takeover, Chelsea has made a statement appointment, but there is little room for error. The club faces a campaign without European football, and the relationship between the club and its supporters remains fragile. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Alonso has the opportunity to showcase his ability to handle a huge club and deliver silverware while creating a culture to ensure sustainable success. From my perspective, the pursuit of Granit Xhaka from Sunderland is a demonstration of the club's backing for the new manager and an indicator that BlueCo is serious about being flexible with its recruitment strategy. However, the club's disciplinary issues have proven too much for Alonso's predecessors. The Blues saw red eight times in the Premier League last season, and it's essential that Alonso finds a cure to this seemingly deep-rooted challenge. The future of Enzo Fernandez poses one of the biggest questions. The Argentina international was dropped for two games in April after publicly angling for a move away from West London. A detail that I find especially interesting is that if Chelsea can recover more than the £107m paid to Benfica in 2023 for the World Cup winner, then a sale is surely something that they'll have to consider. In my opinion, the club's failure to nail down the goalkeeper position over a long period of time is a head-scratching decision. Robert Sanchez has had his moments in a Chelsea shirt but has failed to fully convince. The club targeted AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan last summer before being put off by the figures demanded by the Serie A club. What this really suggests is that Alonso must determine whether he's happy to settle for the existing options or whether now is the time to prioritize securing a world-class shot-stopper. Overall, Alonso has a challenging task ahead of him, but with his experience and proven track record, I believe he has the ability to turn things around at Chelsea. The club has a rich history and a loyal fan base, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.
