⚽ Premier League 2025/2026 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Berry2d]

It will be very  difficult to bring Chelsea to the top 4 this season. Chelsea's overall condition is not strong. Their performance is inconsistent. Alonso will  probably make big changes to the squad. It will be difficult for chelsea to improve very quickly.

Chelsea needs to overhaul its roster by signing several quality players to build strong squad depth, so that Xabi can effectively improve the team’s performance. Chelsea’s current roster isn’t strong enough, and Xabi needs reinforcements to lead the team into the top four.

Signing new players is never a criteria that Chelsea will do perfectly well this coming season. As for restructuring there squad, they are not the first team to have done it and won't be the last to do it. All we should be talking about now is how to improve in consistency and perfection because that is the only thing needed from all teams.
Just as I was saying,  many teams have improved there squad by integrating new and higher experienced players but all never yield any positive results but when they brought in experienced manager even there worst players became productive to the team.  For now i think all they should be looking at is how to manage the once they have and not get more players into the team.

[tottong]

You are right. Alonso seems to be good at developing young players. But these players have to be ready for the task ahead. The management too. It is not going to be an easy journey though and it’s the reason why Alonso needs to be strictly focused on the end goal which is to go for greatness. I also want him not to forget this is not Bundesliga or any other league, this is Premier League where the competition on the clubs are tighter and more competitive.

The Bundesliga is much easier than the Premier League, because even the bottom teams can put pressure on the top teams here, so it won't be easy for Xabi Alonso.
He is indeed one of the best coaches capable of developing the potential of young players, and what's needed is for Chelsea's management to give him time. If they hope for success in his first season, it might be a bit difficult.
Xabi Alonso must be given time by Chelsea's management if they want long-term success, as it requires adaptation and for players to accept the instructions he develops and usually it takes time to put these things together like he did at Leverkusen.

[Sarah Azhari]

Chelsea needs to overhaul its roster by signing several quality players to build strong squad depth, so that Xabi can effectively improve the team’s performance. Chelsea’s current roster isn’t strong enough, and Xabi needs reinforcements to lead the team into the top four.

Even if Xabi Alonso brought in many players he still need time to unite the team , Chelsea won't make up to the top four next season, they have no team to compete with Aston Villa and Manchester United for top four next season.

Xabi Alonso will need enough time to build this Chelsea alot of players in this Chelsea squad that need to go for new players to come in and build with new players take a lot of time for them to settle and adapt in the premier League.

Of course, Xabi will need time to improve Chelsea’s performance. But finishing in the top four, I don’t think, will be a major challenge for Xabi as long as Chelsea has strong squad depth. Moreover, Chelsea won’t be playing in European competitions next season, and that will help Xabi a bit in building a team capable of performing strongly in the Premier League, since Chelsea won’t have as packed a schedule as other top teams. Therefore, if management gives Xabi the freedom to build the squad the way he wants, Chelsea will be able to compete for a top-four finish.

[giammangiato]

Of course, Xabi will need time to improve Chelsea’s performance. But finishing in the top four, I don’t think, will be a major challenge for Xabi as long as Chelsea has strong squad depth. Moreover, Chelsea won’t be playing in European competitions next season, and that will help Xabi a bit in building a team capable of performing strongly in the Premier League, since Chelsea won’t have as packed a schedule as other top teams. Therefore, if management gives Xabi the freedom to build the squad the way he wants, Chelsea will be able to compete for a top-four finish.

The signings have been made, Xabi has a tough test to deal with, Chelsea are a great team just need good organisation.
On the one hand Xabi's experience with a "complicated" team like Real Madrid can only help to manage Chelsea who have different problems anyway.
He basically has a great squad of players to be able to do well and give a lot in the league, so I think they will give us great satisfaction.

[Black Mbaye]

Of course, Xabi will need time to improve Chelsea’s performance. But finishing in the top four, I don’t think, will be a major challenge for Xabi as long as Chelsea has strong squad depth. Moreover, Chelsea won’t be playing in European competitions next season, and that will help Xabi a bit in building a team capable of performing strongly in the Premier League, since Chelsea won’t have as packed a schedule as other top teams. Therefore, if management gives Xabi the freedom to build the squad the way he wants, Chelsea will be able to compete for a top-four finish.

The signings have been made, Xabi has a tough test to deal with, Chelsea are a great team just need good organisation.
On the one hand Xabi's experience with a "complicated" team like Real Madrid can only help to manage Chelsea who have different problems anyway.
He basically has a great squad of players to be able to do well and give a lot in the league, so I think they will give us great satisfaction.

Experience is always important. Even though he didn't stay at a team like Real Madrid for a very long time, he gained experience there. That's why I think he can be successful in Chelsea's management. I see potential in Xabi to manage challenging atmospheres and high-pressure teams.

[KTChampions]

Enzo Maresca was at Chelsea from June 2024 to January 2026, which was enough time. Now look at Manchester United: Michael Carrick joined Manchester United as manager on January 13, 2026, and by the end of the season he had them finish third in the Premier League. This proved that it doesn't take many years for a new manager to show good results. Michael Carrick didn't spend much money on new signings, while Enzo Maresca had a whole year, had money available for new signings, and still failed in the Premier League with Chelsea.

How long did Amorim manage at United? Less than a full season, but there were changes during his tenure, including a change of players, so it's fair to say Carrick benefited to some extent from Amorim's efforts. And even if we recall the previous coach, ETH, there were also major changes under him, and this cannot be ignored. We'll see what results Carrick can show in the future (I hope for the best), but my point is that changes were constantly happening at United and at some point the puzzle came together.

[dezoel]

Alonso will definitely help them finish better than 10th, the real question is by how much. If he is still around there, like lets say 8th place or whatever, then that is not really a big improvement and basically the same thing all over again.

However, if we are talking about finishing lets say fifth or something then that is a real progress. I am not sure if Xabi Alonso can do that on his first ever season, that would be a huge jump in rankings and doubt that is possible at this moment.

[Inwestour]

Alonso will definitely help them finish better than 10th, the real question is by how much. If he is still around there, like lets say 8th place or whatever, then that is not really a big improvement and basically the same thing all over again.

However, if we are talking about finishing lets say fifth or something then that is a real progress. I am not sure if Xabi Alonso can do that on his first ever season, that would be a huge jump in rankings and doubt that is possible at this moment.

I think Alonso will need to get off to a good start this season, because if Chelsea gets stuck in the middle of the table right from the start, it won't be the result they're expecting. And by the way, I don't see any big transfers coming from Alonso yet, and I think it will be difficult for him to change anything without them. But there's still half the summer ahead, so there's still time for that.

[Hvdv]

Alonso will definitely help them finish better than 10th, the real question is by how much. If he is still around there, like lets say 8th place or whatever, then that is not really a big improvement and basically the same thing all over again.

However, if we are talking about finishing lets say fifth or something then that is a real progress. I am not sure if Xabi Alonso can do that on his first ever season, that would be a huge jump in rankings and doubt that is possible at this moment.

I think Alonso will need to get off to a good start this season, because if Chelsea gets stuck in the middle of the table right from the start, it won't be the result they're expecting. And by the way, I don't see any big transfers coming from Alonso yet, and I think it will be difficult for him to change anything without them. But there's still half the summer ahead, so there's still time for that.

Alonso, in my opinion, will focus on young, high-quality players with Chelsea rather than big transfers. I trust his scouting network. They achieved great success with Bayer Leverkusen. He also wanted to evaluate many young players with Real Madrid. We will see something similar at Chelsea. I think he can be successful at Chelsea.

[Volgastallion]

One thing Alonso have in his favour this time in Chelsea like he had in Leverkusen and he doesnt have in Real MAdrid is the fact that in this teams you dont have to battle against the old and powerfull players which can start to not following your rules, and all are gonna make what the coach says and Xabi needs that a lot, for me his failure in Real MAdrid was because some players like Mbappe refuses to do what he said.

[9ja Amaka]

You are right. Alonso seems to be good at developing young players. But these players have to be ready for the task ahead. The management too. It is not going to be an easy journey though and it’s the reason why Alonso needs to be strictly focused on the end goal which is to go for greatness. I also want him not to forget this is not Bundesliga or any other league, this is Premier League where the competition on the clubs are tighter and more competitive.

I really agree that Alonso is a decent manager and can get better if giving the time at Chelsea.  Chelsea is in a process of rebuilding right now, but I think some of their important players will leave the club, so Alonso needs to focus on building the team right now and not add pressure of winning the premier league this upcoming season.  Another thing he needs to consider is to let players that are not willing to play for the club leave and start building his own team. The board also have to be patient with him, if they truly want him to succeed and win them trophy in the long run.

[Supreme Donvic]

One thing Alonso have in his favour this time in Chelsea like he had in Leverkusen and he doesnt have in Real MAdrid is the fact that in this teams you dont have to battle against the old and powerfull players which can start to not following your rules, and all are gonna make what the coach says and Xabi needs that a lot, for me his failure in Real MAdrid was because some players like Mbappe refuses to do what he said.

I think I will agree with you the only reason why he did not succeed in Real Madrid was because of the players there, they did not like him and they did not want to work with him, he did not have total control in the dressing room, they were not agreeing to his direction and when you are not agreeing to a coach direction there is usually problem and again he was never ready to work with a player like vini, what I can say is that the failure of him in Real Madrid was as a result of players not working with him and again the management did not give him total control at Real Madrid and this was the reason for his failure, I believe that same thing will not happen in Chelsea, his going to have total control of the Chelsea team as a manager.

[Slow death]

Enzo Maresca was at Chelsea from June 2024 to January 2026, which was enough time. Now look at Manchester United: Michael Carrick joined Manchester United as manager on January 13, 2026, and by the end of the season he had them finish third in the Premier League. This proved that it doesn't take many years for a new manager to show good results. Michael Carrick didn't spend much money on new signings, while Enzo Maresca had a whole year, had money available for new signings, and still failed in the Premier League with Chelsea.

How long did Amorim manage at United? Less than a full season, but there were changes during his tenure, including a change of players, so it's fair to say Carrick benefited to some extent from Amorim's efforts. And even if we recall the previous coach, ETH, there were also major changes under him, and this cannot be ignored. We'll see what results Carrick can show in the future (I hope for the best), but my point is that changes were constantly happening at United and at some point the puzzle came together.

Ruben Amorim started coaching Manchester United in November 2024 and left in January 2026. He had plenty of time to show his worth, but if I'm not mistaken, he couldn't reach the top 4. I also don't know if he was directly involved in all the new signings during his time at Manchester United. He's a good coach, and something must have happened for his work to go wrong. It's very strange that he, who won titles with Sporting, fails at Manchester United, and a novice coach arrives, without having won any titles with any team, and takes Manchester United to third place.