The season is not over yet. Chelsea still have a lot to play for in the final three games of this season, even though it has at times felt like a lot of the players have mentally checked out already. The same can be said for the supporters as well. The Blues have not won a game in the league since defeating Aston Villa.
It is quite clear that Chelsea need to get their next managerial appointment right. But BlueCo have painted themselves into a corner. After the last four seasons, and how things have turned with the club’s recent managers, they might have a tough time convincing top targets to join.
For many, Xabi Alonso would be the preferred choice. It remains to be seen if Chelsea are able to convince him to take over this project.
Andoni Iraola is also another name believed to be on the shortlist. And as far as alternatives go, he could be a good one if Chelsea are not able to convince Alonso. I do have my doubts about how his system would fit this team, though.
Fabrizio Romano drops update on Andoni Iraola amid Chelsea links
If Chelsea are serious about pursuing Iraola, they might have to move quickly because Crystal Palace already seen to be advancing. In fact, the Spaniard appears to have a proposal on the table from the Eagles, who are willing to offer him an important salary as well as control in the transfer market.
While speaking on his YouTube channel about Iraola, Fabrizio Romano said:
“Many questions, just to stay quickly in England, on Crystal Palace and Andoni Iraola. Glasner is leaving, was my story on Christmas Day, but Iraola at the moment is a dream target for Palace. Palace want to try, Palace are trying, are prepared to offer really important money and almost total control also on the market to Andoni Iraola. So he will have a really important role at Palace, the opportunity to live in London, so a big chance on that point of view.
“But at the moment, my understanding is that still nothing is done or agreed. There is a proposal on the table from Crystal Palace to Iraola, but Iraola still wants to wait, maybe in the manager’s domino he could get a different kind of opportunity. And so we have to be attentive to that because Iraola is still waiting, Iraola is probably still hoping to see if some other club appears on scene while he’s doing fantastic at Bournemouth in these final games of the season after another excellent, excellent season.
“I can also tell you that Iraola rejected an approach from a club outside of England few days ago, it was last week, because he wants to continue in England, his desire is to continue in England. So that’s the situation around Iraola, but it’s a name that I would keep in this manager’s domino because Palace want him, but still nothing has been decided and Iraola is still waiting for opportunities.”
So, it looks like Crystal Palace are the most advanced when it comes to Iraola’s situation. But nothing is done yet. The Spaniard might be waiting until the end of the season to assess other potential opportunities before making a decision on his next decision.
Xabi Alonso would be Chelsea’s top pick but Andoni Iraola cannot be overlooked
Plenty of reliable reports have suggested over the past few days that Chelsea would like for Alonso to be the one to lead this project. That feels like the sensible move to make as well.
Alonso is a big name in the game who should be able to command the respect of the dressing room from day one. He is also someone who has proven himself to be a winner, whether as a coach or as a player.
Yes, his spell at Real Madrid was not a success. But look towards Santiago Bernabeu right now and that situation looks like an even bigger mess at the moment.
There is a possibility though that Alonso might turn down Chelsea. If that happens, there are not a lot of quality alternatives out there. Iraola is one of them. So, the Blues must keep a close eye on his situation.
