Xabi Alonso Must Be Given Time to Fix Chelsea, Says Nacho Monreal

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso needs time to reshape the team, according to former Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal. The Blues finished ninth in the 2025/26 Premier League season, missing out on European competition, but the club's hierarchy remains committed to Alonso as the long-term solution. Monreal, speaking in an interview with BetBrothers, stressed that building a winning culture cannot happen overnight. He warned that expecting immediate results would be unrealistic given the scale of the task at Stamford Bridge.

Monreal pointed to Alonso's earlier stint at Real Madrid, where he was dismissed despite showing promise, as evidence of how quickly clubs can lose patience. "In the first moment they had the opportunity to sack him, they did it," Monreal said. He believes Chelsea possess a strong squad with high-quality players capable of challenging top teams. "If you see Chelsea's squad, you realise immediately that they have a really good team," he added.

The Spaniard acknowledged that Arsenal currently hold an edge over their rivals, stating, "Arsenal right now, is one step in front of the rest, without a doubt." He confirmed that Chelsea have the potential to threaten clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal, but only if Alonso is allowed to implement his tactics fully. The Blues will open their season with an away match against Fulham, followed by a home fixture against Brighton, which will mark Alonso's first match at Stamford Bridge.

Monreal urged fans to remain patient, noting that sustainable success requires time and stability. He emphasized that while results matter, the foundation of a long-term project should not be judged in the early months.

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