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Xabi Alonso never looked the obvious choice for the Blues, but he now has an enormous task on his hands at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso is BlueCo's fifth permanent appointment and, perhaps most significantly, their first true ‘manager’.

That apparent change in approach from the ownership has brought some badly needed optimism back to the fanbase after a poor, ill-disciplined campaign in which Chelsea lost as many league matches as they won.

A season without European fixtures could prove a blessing in disguise. Alonso may need those longer midweek sessions at Cobham if he is to properly drill in the 3-4-3 system that carried him to glory at Bayer Leverkusen.

With several managerial changes elsewhere in the league and nine Premier League clubs occupied in Europe, Chelsea will view Champions League qualification as the minimum target.

And whisper it quietly... if Alonso is given access to the BlueCo chequebook — with a new goalkeeper and a centre-back both badly needed — then who is to say he cannot inspire an unlikely title push?

Chelsea's early signings — three teenagers, Emmanuel Emegha from partner club Strasbourg and Atalanta's Marco Palestra — did little to solve the lack of experience. However, the absence of Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer from their national teams' World Cup squads handed Alonso two fit, motivated forwards with a major point to prove.

So expect Alonso to be setting up plenty of WhatsApp groups as he looks to get ahead of his busier rivals.

Xabi Alonso was a revolutionary figure at Leverkusen, only to be thrown under the bus by Real Madrid after just 233 days in charge. At Chelsea, it could go either way. His high-energy gegenpress may come as a jolt to players who were outrun by every other Premier League side last season.

Not since Diego Costa have the Blues had a truly dangerous line-leading striker. Joao Pedro has now entered the conversation.

The Brazilian scored 20 goals in his debut season while also providing strong hold-up play, and he was a deserving Player of the Season. He will be a crucial part of Alonso's system.

PREMIER LEAGUE: 10th

FA CUP: Runners-up

LEAGUE CUP: Semi-final

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Last 16

Joao Pedro scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Blues last season.

That return placed him high in the Premier League top scorers list, even ahead of Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike.

Eleven players are better than 10. It is hardly the most groundbreaking idea, but if Chelsea are to improve on 2025-26 — admittedly a low bar — then keeping more players on the pitch will be essential.

Red cards for Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, at home against Brighton and Burnley respectively, effectively cost Chelsea five points last season.

And overall, a club-record 11 red cards in all competitions was painful viewing.

Scrape their way to a trophy. It is a very Chelsea thing. Even at their worst, the Blues can still put together purple patches that carry them into finals, so do not be surprised if Alonso is posing with a fluorescent can of Carabao in the middle of March.

Get a sponsor back on the front of their shirts. The golden days of Coors, Autoglass and Samsung are long gone. Sponsorless Chelsea shirts have become a strangely refreshing norm over the last few seasons — though no doubt they have caused many sleepless nights for the club's marketing team and accountants.

Last season was difficult for me to describe without swearing, so let us settle on ‘hilariously awful’.

This season will be different because with any luck, we will not appoint a massively underqualified manager in the middle of the season.

The big talking point is whether the club will stop the sporting directors from making a mess of things again.

Our key player will be Cole Palmer once again. Missing the World Cup — though bad news for him personally — gives him proper rest and a full pre-season to get completely fit.

The active player I'd love to have back is Conor Gallagher.

The fans' opinion of the gaffer is delight at his appointment. Time will tell whether he is allowed to do things his own way.

If he left, he should be replaced by Como head coach Cesc Fabregas.

A social media account to follow is the excellent Louis_Beneventi.

Look out for 20-year-old defender Jorrel Hato, who impressed after an unsteady start. I think he will kick on.

The departing player I'm saddest about is Marc Cucurella. We will all miss his special blend of ability and s**thousery.

I won't be happy unless we sell Liam Delap.

The pantomime villain will be Mikel Arteta. Yes, he is a talented manager, but he is also easy to dislike for his touchline antics and the way he whines in interviews. His defenders get away with murder at corners as well.

We'll finish 5th, if Alonso gets the players he needs and is allowed to do his job. Not being in Europe should help.

AUGUST

24 Fulham (A)

29 Brighton (H)

SEPTEMBER

5 Arsenal (A)

12 Hull City (H)

19 Brentford (A)

OCTOBER

10 Bournemouth (H)

17 Everton (A)

24 Tottenham (H)

31 Man United (H)

NOVEMBER

7 Sunderland (A)

21 Leeds (H)

28 Nott'm Forest (A)

DECEMBER

2 Crystal Palace (H)

5 Liverpool (H) 1

2 Man City (A)

19 Aston Villa (H)

26 Coventry (A)

30 Ipswich (A)

JANUARY

2 Newcastle (H)

6 Crystal Palace (A)

16 Sunderland (H)

23 Leeds (A)

30 Nott'm Forest (H)

FEBRUARY

6 Man United (A)

10 Newcastle (A)

20 Ipswich (H)

27 Aston Villa (A)

MARCH

3 Coventry (H)

13 Arsenal (H)

20 Hull City (A)

APRIL

10 Fulham (H)

17 Brighton (A)

24 Man City (H)

MAY

1 Liverpool (A)

8 Tottenham (A)

15 Everton (H)

23 Bournemouth (A)

30 Brentford (H)

Chelsea to win the 2026/27 Premier League title odds: 11/1

FourFourTwo verdict: Chelsea to finish 5th.

No European fixtures is bad news for the club's finances but ideal for Alonso, who will have time to coach the methods that worked wonders in Germany. Questions in defence and in goal could still hold Chelsea back.

This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue.