Premier League Prediction Thread 2025/2026

[blue Snow]

In my opinion, Xabi Alonso cannot be considered a failure at Real Madrid. Just look at his stats: out of the 34 matches he managed, he suffered only 6 losses, and that’s not a bad record. Xabi Alonso chose to step down mid-season from Real Madrid because the management didn’t support him, so he couldn’t control the locker room.

No definitely not, Alonso wasn’t a failure at Real. He was sacked because ill discipline and a distinct lack of professionalism and work ethic is rife in that squad. Players fighting, refusing to follow instructions.

Alonso was 2nd in La Liga and well placed in the CL when he was sacked. Reportedly Vini Jr. was a big reason why he was sacked. Hopefully Alonso gets the time he deserves at Chelsea.

Alonso wasn’t fired; he resigned. During his time as Real Madrid’s coach, Alonso did face a lot of pressure. On top of that, Perez favored the players over Alonso, so the players didn’t respect him. One of the major controversies was the conflict between Alonso and Vinicius, and that was one of the reasons Alonso resigned because he felt he wasn’t getting support from the club president. In fact, if only Perez had supported Alonso and given him enough time, perhaps Real Madrid wouldn’t have gone trophy-less that season, as we know that Alonso is a talented coach with strong capabilities. Now he has become Chelsea’s coach, and hopefully what happened to him at Real Madrid won’t be repeated at Chelsea.

[Supreme Donvic]

But with what we see from Chelsea's development at the moment, they always want immediate results. They do spend a lot of money on those results, but they should not forget that building a team takes time. unless the players in the current team are already the ones genuinely desired by the coach. Let's just see how the progress Chelsea will show at the beginning of the season. or in this transfer market.

Chelsea is one team that spends a lot of money to make the changes that they need for their team to improve but it is quite unfortunate that these changes don't really last. They show signs of improvement at some point in a particular season but after a while they start losing form all over again, I hope this doesn't happen with Xabi as their coach.

Chelsea may still have a problem with their new coach if the players are not willing to follow his direction, I believe the coach is a very good coach and he can make some impact only if the players are willing to follow his directive I know some changes that he will bring will not sit well with some players but if the players are willing to follow him I believe they will do better.
It is true that Chelsea spend a lot of money to make some changes in the club in order for the team to do very well however it does not really work for them the way the plan it to work and for me I will say the reason why it is always like that is because they don't select what will work for them, they spend money on the opposite of what they really want.

[Shineup]

In my opinion, Xabi Alonso cannot be considered a failure at Real Madrid. Just look at his stats: out of the 34 matches he managed, he suffered only 6 losses, and that’s not a bad record. Xabi Alonso chose to step down mid-season from Real Madrid because the management didn’t support him, so he couldn’t control the locker room.

No definitely not, Alonso wasn’t a failure at Real. He was sacked because ill discipline and a distinct lack of professionalism and work ethic is rife in that squad. Players fighting, refusing to follow instructions.

Alonso was 2nd in La Liga and well placed in the CL when he was sacked. Reportedly Vini Jr. was a big reason why he was sacked. Hopefully Alonso gets the time he deserves at Chelsea.

Alonso wasn’t fired; he resigned. During his time as Real Madrid’s coach, Alonso did face a lot of pressure. On top of that, Perez favored the players over Alonso, so the players didn’t respect him. One of the major controversies was the conflict between Alonso and Vinicius, and that was one of the reasons Alonso resigned because he felt he wasn’t getting support from the club president. In fact, if only Perez had supported Alonso and given him enough time, perhaps Real Madrid wouldn’t have gone trophy-less that season, as we know that Alonso is a talented coach with strong capabilities. Now he has become Chelsea’s coach, and hopefully what happened to him at Real Madrid won’t be repeated at Chelsea.

And that is very bad, Perez always put his players above his managers, and that always gives the players wings to fly high above the managers making the not to respect them, but the reverse will be the case during this Jose Mourinho's time in the club, because he won't take it, if he can bench Christiano Ronaldo at his prime who then is Kylian Mbappe and co, but that's by The way, now the fact is Xabi Alonso is now in the English premier League now, and they League is not like any other league he's coached before, like it's tough here and he's got to fight for every position he want the team to be.

[MArsland]

No definitely not, Alonso wasn’t a failure at Real. He was sacked because ill discipline and a distinct lack of professionalism and work ethic is rife in that squad. Players fighting, refusing to follow instructions.

Alonso was 2nd in La Liga and well placed in the CL when he was sacked. Reportedly Vini Jr. was a big reason why he was sacked. Hopefully Alonso gets the time he deserves at Chelsea.

Alonso wasn’t fired; he resigned. During his time as Real Madrid’s coach, Alonso did face a lot of pressure. On top of that, Perez favored the players over Alonso, so the players didn’t respect him. One of the major controversies was the conflict between Alonso and Vinicius, and that was one of the reasons Alonso resigned because he felt he wasn’t getting support from the club president. In fact, if only Perez had supported Alonso and given him enough time, perhaps Real Madrid wouldn’t have gone trophy-less that season, as we know that Alonso is a talented coach with strong capabilities. Now he has become Chelsea’s coach, and hopefully what happened to him at Real Madrid won’t be repeated at Chelsea.

Resigning because there was no support from Perez would be tantamount to subtly firing him. But the point is that it's an agreement between the two parties. Now let bygones be bygones and Xabi Alonso will prove his worth at Chelsea, which will be quite a challenge at the start of this season for him because there is quite a lot that needs to be improved from Chelsea.

[Alonso_]

Xabi is a more reasonable option for Chelsea at the moment, even though he failed while at Real Madrid, that shouldn't make us so quick to say that he is a bad coach, it's possible that Real Madrid's tougher environment means he can't develop his ideas optimally and also the players' egos are so difficult to handle making him unable to create strategies that can improve the team's condition. so with the opportunity given by Chelsea, Xabi should be able to become a better coach, maybe like he was at Leverkusen.. moreover, this is a pretty good opportunity in his coaching career, if he succeeds then it will be very good for his portfolio.

I think they did a great job in hiring this coach, he has certainly a great coach with very clear ideas, if they let him do it you'll see that Chelsea will become a great team again, also because there are these teams that haven't won for a very long time and deserve to come back.

I don’t think there is anything really important or special about Chelsea hiring Xabi Alonso, because it doesn’t guarantee anything, and there is a lot of risk involved in that appointment, so I’m going to consider it a try your luck appointment, I’m not going to think that Alonso is a world class manager only because of what he did with Bayern Leverkusen, that doesn’t guarantee anything it was just a one season wonder, he couldn’t repeat that with Real Madrid, he was sacked before 6 months, so I don’t really see anything special about that appointment.

[rachael9385]

Not only are they two different people, they have different patterns and different ideas and without considering that they also have two totally different characters.
I like Xabi Alonso as a coach, it's a shame that his adventure at Real Madrid ended badly, but it wasn't his fault.

A lot of times we blame the coach when a team stops performing well but this is not always the case because most of these big teams caj start having a decline in performance and might probably don't have anything to do with their coach. I don't think xabi should be blamed for thr bad season that Real Madrid had.

[BlackBoss_]

No definitely not, Alonso wasn’t a failure at Real. He was sacked because ill discipline and a distinct lack of professionalism and work ethic is rife in that squad. Players fighting, refusing to follow instructions.

Alonso was 2nd in La Liga and well placed in the CL when he was sacked. Reportedly Vini Jr. was a big reason why he was sacked. Hopefully Alonso gets the time he deserves at Chelsea.

I agree with you LFC_Bitcoin because Xabi Alonso managed Real Madrid well, and fairly with a very first months of any head coach at a new club, such performances and results are acceptable. He was sacked because of internal conflicts with star players and possibly with the club President too, and in the end Perez chose star players, and decided to separate with Xabi Alonso. While with several months and acceptable results, it's not convincing to say the project of Xabi Alonso failed in Madrid.

The replacement, Arbeloa, did not do anything better than what Xabi Alonso did for Real Madrid and they finished the season without titles. Soon Real Madrid will see top notch management of Xabi Alonso in Chelsea or other clubs in later years of his coach career because he is truly a very elite young head coach.

[disbil]

What project are you talking about?
How was the performance of Manchester United to you before carrick took over, they where at 7th position, check their last 10 matches before Carrick took over, their performance was relatively bad to even clubs we regard to as small clubs.

Carrick did not only improve the club, he changed the club from a mid table club to a top 5 club. I honestly don't get the project that Amorim was on as you said, because I didn't see any problems

Michael Carrick did well with Manchester United in this season started from 7th standings place since appointing as interim manager until success finish at 3rd standings position and secure the Champion League spot. Huge difference tactical between previous manager Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick change the composition by playing Kobbie Mainoo as regular players at holding midfielder position previously loss minutes playing at the era Ruben Amorim.

Significant impact and short time needed by Michael Carrick how to make Manchester United from the middle top standings until finish at higher standings, I think his achievement should be appreciate and management giving him permanent contract as manager and get contract until two season later.

[9ja Amaka]

Xabi Alonso may not have performed very well in Real Madrid but I believe he will do very well in Chelsea, one of the reason why he didn't do well in Real Madrid was because he was unable to have control over the dressing home because of the big stars in Real Madrid but that won't happen in Chelsea i believe his going to have total control of Chelsea dressing home and do well in Chelsea and again the Chelsea players should bring out their mind to work with him too.

It's true true that Xabi Alonso did not succeed at Real Madrid because he lost the dress room, but that does not guarantee that he will succeed or fail at Chelsea.  I think one thing that will really help him to succeed at Chelsea is the backing of the board. I think the board has to be patient with him and let him impact his philosophy on the team and also I think the board have to let him buy his own players, because I know that every manager have their playing style and also needs players that fit their playing style. I think he if gets all this from the board,  he should succeed, because I think he is a decent manager.

[Out of mind]

Not only are they two different people, they have different patterns and different ideas and without considering that they also have two totally different characters.
I like Xabi Alonso as a coach, it's a shame that his adventure at Real Madrid ended badly, but it wasn't his fault.

A lot of times we blame the coach when a team stops performing well but this is not always the case because most of these big teams caj start having a decline in performance and might probably don't have anything to do with their coach. I don't think xabi should be blamed for thr bad season that Real Madrid had.

Yes, many times the players' mistakes are blamed on the managers' tactics. But there are many mistakes of the players which are not the managers' mistakes but the players' mistakes. The performance of big teams often deteriorates due to which those games do not return to the way they were before, so they are blamed on the managers. Yes, we have seen that Real Madrid has performed very badly this season, here there was no mistake in Xabi's leadership, but there was a mistake in the performance of the players. Moreover, we have already seen that even after Xabi left Real Madrid, another manager has not been able to stabilize the team yet, in which case we can say that it is not the coach's fault but the players' fault.

[Renampun]

Resigning because there was no support from Perez would be tantamount to subtly firing him. But the point is that it's an agreement between the two parties. Now let bygones be bygones and Xabi Alonso will prove his worth at Chelsea, which will be quite a challenge at the start of this season for him because there is quite a lot that needs to be improved from Chelsea.

Yes, it will be quite challenging for Xabi to improve Chelsea's condition because their current position is at a low point, and he must improve the mentality of the players to be motivated again to compete.. also he needs to bring in players who fit the game strategy he wants to play and get rid of players who don't fit his game. but it is still fortunate that their position next season only focuses on domestic competitions, so Xabi should be able to focus more on improving the team's performance without being burdened with more competitions.

[cakir1]

More than anything, at Leverkusen they gave him the right and not the players, it should be a coach who decides who should play and who shouldn't.
In fact, at Real Madrid he clashed strongly with this wrong mentality and in the end they fired him.
It happens, it means that Xabi Alonso was in the wrong place.

Every club has a different atmosphere, and it's never been easy for everyone to adjust there. Just because of this Xabi Alonso faced problems at Bernabeu at Bayer Leverkusen they gave him everything he needed to win the title, and he gave proper results, but sadly, Real Madrid players have more egos this hurt them badly, and they ended up worse off with Xabi Alonso losing his job.

At Chelsea, it's going to be not easy for him because Todd Boehly also has too many problems after having control of Chelsea, too many coaches already gone without having good results. Now how can he be done? It's also interesting because I am sure if he had Liverpool, this could be much better for both.

[Antotena]

Chelsea may still have a problem with their new coach if the players are not willing to follow his direction, I believe the coach is a very good coach and he can make some impact only if the players are willing to follow his directive I know some changes that he will bring will not sit well with some players but if the players are willing to follow him I believe they will do better.
It is true that Chelsea spend a lot of money to make some changes in the club in order for the team to do very well however it does not really work for them the way the plan it to work and for me I will say the reason why it is always like that is because they don't select what will work for them, they spend money on the opposite of what they really want.

Even as many people were faulting the coaches for making the team not qualified for the Champions League, I didn't see coaches the only problem in the picture, the players are among the reason why the team couldn't do well. What we don't know is that only the coaches can't one day change the team, even the players have their role to play, perhaps the club didn't start the season with the right players that's why even with the changes in coach, the result was bad.

I want to see Xabi do good transfer and it should be before the world cup. By the time world cup start now, you will see that even the players that are not that good at club will have high price after the world cup especially if they reach the final. By the time they get back from world cup and join the club, that's when they start playing nonsense. Enzo Fernandez is one mistake Chelsea made 4 years ago, Xabi should never fall for such scams again.

[hyudien]

~snip~
At Chelsea, it's going to be not easy for him because Todd Boehly also has too many problems after having control of Chelsea, too many coaches already gone without having good results. Now how can he be done? It's also interesting because I am sure if he had Liverpool, this could be much better for both.

Let's wait and see because even with this tough challenge, I'm pretty sure Xabi can still make a change in Chelsea because they actually have talented players, it's just that there is no suitable coach who can unite these players. Xabi has the experience of coaching young players at Leverkusen and building his playing identity there, at Chelsea he will do the same, but I will still give him time, after all the challenge is not only bringing the players together but also about the premier league which is much more competitive with tough opponents.

[ITExpert]

You're right, if Arsenal is changing coaches often as Chelsea does, only God knows how many years they would remain without a trophy. You can see how confused Chelsea were this season because despite they invested heavily to strengthen their squad they still didn't achieve anything. Xabi Alonso is a good coach if Chelsea can be patient to keep him to their agreement contract, he can win them a trophy one day.

I think there is a huge difference in comparison of both of the teams Chelsea and Arsenal as Arsenal is holding a very strong position as compared to the Chelsea. Because Chelsea is not stable and not good in performing over all in fact they were very inconsistent  throughout the season. Chelsea team has a strong squad or good and talented players but they need to be very focused and stuck on almost one coach at least for a season.  Because Chelsea team changed many coach this also has a great  influence over the team's performance.  But Arsenal is very dedicated and disciplined team this is the reason they are holding their current position and it is true that if they keep going on the way Chelsea did so maybe they are also on the same line of Chelsea. Arsenal is much better and I think if they keep going on the way they are right now definitely they will achieve more success.

[Agbamoni]

Carrick would have to pay his price, just as every other coach you've mentioned would have to understand what running their teams look like, unlike Arteta who has built a strong rapport with his boys for a very long time, they're just starting out to know these players. Their decisions wouldn't be as accurate as that of Arteta who is an old guy in the game, although Xabi Alonso is a kind of coach that'll make quality changes at Chelsea's fallen form, Arsenal being the previous winner of this title, and premier league having shown to be more about managers than players, Arteta has an upper hand in winning the next title, in the coming season.

Dont create excuses for these managers. When Arteta took over the job, he came to his peak after two years at the job, yet he was crucified verbally by football fans for not winning a trophy. But eventually, in 7 years, he has won 4 trophies for Arsenal. Other managers' time starts now, including Michael Carrick.

I like the fact that Manchester United and Chelsea fans have come out to say they are going to win the Premier League next season. Whereas Arsenal has the best squad at the moment.

[HustleZ]

I think there is a huge difference in comparison of both of the teams Chelsea and Arsenal as Arsenal is holding a very strong position as compared to the Chelsea. Because Chelsea is not stable and not good in performing over all in fact they were very inconsistent  throughout the season. Chelsea team has a strong squad or good and talented players but they need to be very focused and stuck on almost one coach at least for a season.  Because Chelsea team changed many coach this also has a great  influence over the team's performance.  But Arsenal is very dedicated and disciplined team this is the reason they are holding their current position and it is true that if they keep going on the way Chelsea did so maybe they are also on the same line of Chelsea. Arsenal is much better and I think if they keep going on the way they are right now definitely they will achieve more success.

Chelsea has no doubt a good team but their performance is really unpredictable and unexpected. They win matches they are expected to lose and lose those which look like a piece of cake for them. This is just their nature and heavily dependent on a manager because a good squad can’t perform if their tactics aren’t on point, so what chelsea lacks is a proper good leader which paves their path and creates tactics that makes the team better/make their flow better. So imo chelsea has a good squad too but just needs direction.

[Shadiq]

Let's wait and see because even with this tough challenge, I'm pretty sure Xabi can still make a change in Chelsea because they actually have talented players, it's just that there is no suitable coach who can unite these players. Xabi has the experience of coaching young players at Leverkusen and building his playing identity there, at Chelsea he will do the same, but I will still give him time, after all the challenge is not only bringing the players together but also about the premier league which is much more competitive with tough opponents.

Since Xabi Alonso has the experience of winning the Bundesliga title by fighting Bayern Munich, even if he is not able to win the title in the Premier League, he will be successful in bringing Chelsea back to a good position. If he can build a good relationship with the players, then I think Chelsea is going to bounce back very soon. Because his technique and talent are great. Even since there are high-quality players, the task is easier for Xabi Alonso. I don't think he will need too much time at Chelsea. Because he can build a good relationship with the young players very quickly. Once the players get used to him, Chelsea's good performance will return.

[KTChampions]

Dont create excuses for these managers. When Arteta took over the job, he came to his peak after two years at the job, yet he was crucified verbally by football fans for not winning a trophy. But eventually, in 7 years, he has won 4 trophies for Arsenal. Other managers' time starts now, including Michael Carrick.

I like the fact that Manchester United and Chelsea fans have come out to say they are going to win the Premier League next season. Whereas Arsenal has the best squad at the moment.

With the same squad last year, Arsenal scored 74 points, this season, with the same result, it wouldn’t even give them silver. Tottenham have a decent squad (relative to the basement), but they are happy to be in 17th place for the second year in a row The squad itself does not guarantee anything,  I hope (and I think my hopes are justified) that next season we will see a fight for the title between several teams at once, but if we are unlucky and one dominates, then I hope for United.

[Shineup]

Resigning because there was no support from Perez would be tantamount to subtly firing him. But the point is that it's an agreement between the two parties. Now let bygones be bygones and Xabi Alonso will prove his worth at Chelsea, which will be quite a challenge at the start of this season for him because there is quite a lot that needs to be improved from Chelsea.

Yes, it will be quite challenging for Xabi to improve Chelsea's condition because their current position is at a low point, and he must improve the mentality of the players to be motivated again to compete.. also he needs to bring in players who fit the game strategy he wants to play and get rid of players who don't fit his game. but it is still fortunate that their position next season only focuses on domestic competitions, so Xabi should be able to focus more on improving the team's performance without being burdened with more competitions.

To me I'd say he should focus more on players that wants to play for the barge and not for his game plan, take Manchester United for instance, while they were busy seeking for players that can fit in their game plan, they were signing the worse of it, till Ruben Amorim came and start getting rid of those that was just there for the money and started seeking for those that want to play for the barge and he got this current players, it's quite unfortunate he don't know how to utilize them, now Michael Carrick is excelling with those players, so if Xabi Alonso wants to succeed he should look for players that wants to play for the barge no matter their position, moreover it's at this point they will get to know who's actually willing to play for them, and get rid of the bad eggs.