Florent Malouda has urged Chelsea fans to show patience next season with manager Xabi Alono after a 2025/26 campaign that was a rollercoaster at Stamford Bridge.
Florent Malouda discusses Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea challenge and the need for patience at Stamford Bridge.
— Chelsea Report (@chelsreport_) June 2026
Enzo Maresca’s reign at the club came to an abrupt end in January after a run of one win in seven games with the club, at that time, saying it was a mutual decision to part company. Maresca was then replaced by Liam Rosenior, who lasted just 106 days in the role before he was brutally binned by the Chelsea ownership.
However, since then, Maresca has taken over at Manchester City to replace Pep Guardiola and it was revealed in a statement that City have paid Chelsea a reported £17m compensation package to appoint the Italian, who has also reportedly paid a personal compensation package to the Blues as well.
Chelsea have moved on and appointed ex-Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso back in May, handing the Spaniard a four-year contract.
And former Blues winger Malouda has said Chelsea fans need to show some patience with Alonso this summer, himself coming off the back of a chastening spell at the Bernabeu.
“Chelsea fans have to have patience with Xabi Alonso, I think it will definitely be a transition,” Malouda told BOYLE Sports.
“You have no European competition. You still have an interesting squad, but it’s more about having this identity and this mindset of competing to win.
“At the moment we are a bit far from the top teams like Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. We are. honestly not on the same level. We were very dependent on Cole Palmer, for example, for a while.
“Now we have to find the right balance to be competitive all over the squad. I think that’s what Xabi Alonso will have to deal with when he arrives.”
