Already watching both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior leave the club so far this calendar year, Chelsea are remarkably looking for a third permeant boss in the space of just five months.
Enduring a public nightmare in 2026 and breaking a string of unwanted records, the Premier League giants have a real job on their hands in the race to book any kind of European adventure for next season.
With Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate away at Liverpool astonishingly the only point that they have mustered from their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances, fans around west London are desperately seeking some essential stability.
However, despite recently being linked with soon-to-be former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, it appears that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy have identified their number one target and are inching towards what would be a blockbuster appointment in the English capital.
The Athletic reported on Monday that Chelsea have opened discussions with former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso and both parties are close to agreeing a deal.
Alonso keen on a west London move
While there might have been plenty of excitement around the Spanish capital last summer following Alonso’s appointment, the 44-year-old certainly flattered to deceive.
Remarkably only lasting eight months at the Bernabeu and with his departure back in January sending shock waves across the footballing globe, there has been constant speculation over where the former Bayer Leverkusen manager would end up next.
Taking an extended break from the dugout and making it clear that he was in no rush to jump into a new adventure, Alonso still remains one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches from across the continent.
With Real Madrid once again failing to get their hands on a single piece of silverware this season and dealing with what has become a major soap opera behind the scenes, Alonso’s short reign hasn’t dented his reputation.
With Liverpool insisting that they have no interest in parting ways with Arne Slot and are already planning for next season under the ex-Feynoord manager, a potential emotional return to Anfield has fallen by the wayside.
However, with reports on Monday suggesting that Alonso is now Chelsea’s number one target to take charge in west London, the Blues are keen on getting a deal agreed before this summer’s World Cup gets underway.
Guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a maiden Bundesliga crown just a couple of years ago, it has also been suggested that Alonso has already given the green light to what would be a blockbuster Stamford Bridge move.
🚨 Chelsea exploring deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as next head coach. 44yo former #RMFC boss understood to be open to possibility, although nothing decided yet as process continues. Andoni Iraola also strong contender ahead of departing #AFCB @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/39GzR6Z1Nc
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 11, 2026
Chelsea’s search for stability
While Chelsea might have put in a rugged performance away at historic rivals Liverpool over the weekend as they snatched a deserved 1-1 draw, the Blues have rightfully come under a tremendous amount of scrutiny this season.
Currently sat way down in ninth-place, their FA Cup semi-final success against Leeds at Wembley on April 26th was just a minor boost for the English giants.
Failing to claim a single Premier League victory since a thumping 4-1 victory away at Europa League finalists Aston Villa way back on March 4th, Chelsea are also dealing with some serious financial issues behind the scenes in west London.
The Blues announced last month the biggest pre-tax loss in Premier League history as they posted a deficit of £262million and they have some serious financial issues to juggle ahead of the summer.
With real speculation that they will be forced to sell a number of their first-team superstars in an attempt to balance their books, there remains serious questions marks over the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap and midfield talisman Enzo Fernandez.
Since Matchweek 29, Chelsea have picked up just one Premier League point…
We’re heading into Matchweek 37 😬 pic.twitter.com/NLouQznSiV
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 11, 2026
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