Chelsea Appoint Mikel Alonso as Manager Amidst Transfer Activity
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Published Chelsea could make a move for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Barcelona aware of Villa interest in Manchester United's on-loan forward Marcus Rashford and Manchester City's Rodri coy on future.
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ESPNTransfer rumors, news: Mourinho wants Man City's R... Both Chelsea and Liverpool are looking at a new goalkeeper: Sunderland's Robin Roefs. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Sky SportsMonday's top stories also include: Chelsea want a new goalkeeper this summer and are seriously considering a move for Sunderland's Robin Roefs; Barcelona are aware Aston Villa are keen on England international Marcus Rashford
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Brentford have joined Brighton and Chelsea in showing an interest in Cologne's 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala - Daily Mail
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BBC SportBrentford have joined Brighton and Chelsea in showing an interest in Cologne's 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala. (Mail), external
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Barcelona, who are reluctant to pay the 30m euros to turn Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's loan move into a permanent deal, are aware Aston Villa are keen on the 28-year-old England international. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
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Sky SportsBarcelona are reluctant to pay the 30m euros to turn Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford's loan move into a permanent deal and they are aware Aston Villa are keen on the England international - Mundo Deportivo
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It is a coup for Chelsea, the most prestigious appointment these owners have made. They have had their eye on Alonso for four years. They watched his work at Bayer Leverkusen, saw how he led them to the Bundesliga title at the expense of Bayern Munich in 2024, and hoped to make him theirs one day.
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CBS SportsAlonso, though, has pronounced himself entranced by his new employers, saying, "Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club. From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
Sky SportsThe former Real Madrid boss was Chelsea's No 1 target and the ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso will hold the title of manager rather than head coach, in recognition of his experience and the key role he will play in helping develop all aspects of the club.
BBC SportPublished Chelsea have appointed former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as their manager on a four‑year contract, starting in July.
Yahoo SportsXabi Alonso's appointment as Chelsea manager has been confirmed on a four-year deal.
Bleacher ReportAt Chelsea, Alonso will take over a club that was once consistently among the best in the world before falling on hard times in more recent years.
ESPNWhy Chelsea hired Xabi Alonso now, and what went w... Chelsea moved quickly to hire former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, but what will he bring to the club?
Reuters SportsChelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as new manager - Reuters Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as new manager Reuters
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The 44-year-old Spaniard was available after leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent in January, less than eight months into a three-year contract.
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Bleacher ReportHis time at Real Madrid was short-lived, though, as he and the club parted ways in January, just eight months after he was hired.
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"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
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Sky Sports"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
CBS Sports"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honor to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."
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Tactically, Alonso immediately looked like he knew what he was doing. Take the win at Bayern that powered Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title, where the Spaniard almost baited Thomas Tuchel into changing his system to respond to the threat of Florian Wirtz et al., only to then switch his own up by dropping both Frimpong and any natural striker, playing without the ball in pursuit of victory.
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Sky SportsLeverkusen's Invincible season highlight of Alonso's embryonic coaching CV Sky Sports' Rich Morgan:
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 ESPN Transfer rumors, news: Who will Xabi Alonso sign f... Chelsea want Brentford's Igor Thiago and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers as Xabi Alonso prepares to start work as manager. Transfer Talk has the latest.
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02 Sky Sports Sunday 17 May 2026 23:13, UK The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday's newspapers...
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03 BBC Sport Spain midfielder Rodri, 29, has one year left on his Manchester City contract but says he is calm about his future as he focuses on the end of the season with his club. (Marca - in Spanish), external
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04 CBS Sports Uniting these players was their manager's desire for "football intelligence" and, as he told CBS Sports in November 2023, players who could reinforce his message in the dressing room.
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05 Yahoo Sports Barcelona are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window as they look to not only reinforce their squad but also move on from the likes of Robert Lewandowski.
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