Paul Scholes Believes Xabi Alonso Needs a New Goalkeeper at Chelsea
Paul Scholes has expressed his belief that Xabi Alonso, the newly appointed manager of Chelsea, will need to replace current goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Scholes highlighted that Sanchez is a “liability” and may not fit the style of play that Alonso is expected to implement at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso has taken over as the new manager of Chelsea on a four-year contract. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder was chosen as the top managerial target after Liam Rosenior’s departure last month. With the club finishing in tenth place in the Premier League this season, Alonso faces a significant challenge in revitalizing the team.
Gary Neville has warned Alonso that he has “one hell of a job on his hands” at the club. Scholes agrees with this sentiment, suggesting that one of Alonso’s immediate priorities should be securing a new goalkeeper. Sanchez, who has had a mixed season between the posts, has sometimes found himself out of the team.
Nicky Butt, Scholes’ former Manchester United teammate, has described Sanchez as a “liability” and believes he will be an immediate problem for Alonso. On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt stated, “He can’t play the way they will want to play.” Scholes echoed these concerns, adding, “With the way Chelsea will play, I agree. He can’t do it. I’m pretty sure Xabi Alonso will want to play that way, to build out from the back, so he will need a new goalkeeper then.”
Xabi Alonso’s Journey to Chelsea
Alonso is set to begin his role at Chelsea on July 1. This marks his first managerial position since leaving Real Madrid in January after just seven months in charge. Before his brief stint at Real Madrid, Alonso made a significant impact at Bayer Leverkusen, leading the German club to their first ever Bundesliga title.
In a statement about his move to west London, Alonso said, “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. 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.”
A Change in Leadership at Chelsea
Chelsea started the season under Club World Cup-winning boss Enzo Maresca. However, he left the club in January following a dip in form and a fall-out with the board. The Italian is expected to take over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Maresca was succeeded by Liam Rosenior, but he only lasted 106 days in the job before being sacked.
Looking Ahead for Chelsea
With Alonso now at the helm, the focus will shift to rebuilding the squad and implementing a new playing style. The club’s current performance has raised concerns, particularly in goal, where Sanchez has struggled to meet expectations. Scholes and other experts believe that addressing this issue is crucial for the team’s future success.
As the summer transfer window approaches, fans will be watching closely to see if Alonso can secure a new goalkeeper who fits the club’s vision. The coming months will be critical for Chelsea as they aim to return to the top tier of English football.
