Xabi Alonso has made a big impression on his Chelsea players, and Levi Colwill has explained just how in awe they are of him in training.
The Spaniard replaced Liam Rosenior as the Blues' new boss earlier this summer, signing a four-year contract. He had been linked with the Liverpool job but was convinced by the project at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso is one of Europe's most highly-regarded tacticians, and much of his knowledge comes from his legendary playing career. A midfield maestro who dictated play, he achieved huge success at Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Levi Colwill raves about 'amazing' Xabi Alonso
Alonso is preparing his Chelsea squad for the new season which kicks off in just under three weeks' time. They are currently out in Australia for a tour and the Spaniard hasn't been afraid to show how talented he is with a football at his feet.
Colwill touched on this while speaking with the media, saying (via Kieran Gill): "He's just spraying balls around for no reason and it's a perfect pass every time. Sometimes you can be a bit jealous! He's an amazing manager to work under and he was obviously a crazy player."
Alonso is the biggest managerial appointment since BlueCo's ownership started back in May 2022. He has been handed the title of 'manager' rather than 'coach ', which indicates that the higher-ups are ready to hand him control.
The 44-year-old has seemingly proven to his players that he's still got it and the Blues could do with a player of his profile. He helped teams dominate possession including Spain whom he won the World Cup with in 2010.
Xabi Alonso's path to management
Alonso called time on his playing career in 2017 after becoming one of the most decorated Spanish footballers in history. He was a member of the Liverpool side that won the Champions League in 2005 in the Miracle of Istanbul.
Once he decided to retire, he entered the coaching world, initially as a youth coach at Madrid before taking charge of Real Sociedad's B team. His first senior management role came at Bayer Leverkusen, where he truly earned his status as one of the most exciting tacticians.
Alonso led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title, breaking Bayern's stranglehold on German football and doing so unbeaten. He opted to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid, but a tumultuous return to the Estadio Bernabeu saw him dismissed after behind-the-scenes issues took hold.
Chelsea showed ambition in landing Alonso, and his arrival has lifted a dark cloud over Stamford Bridge. He is tasked with trying to take the Blues back into Champions League qualification contention as his side prepares for a season without Europe.
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