Will Chelsea challenge for the Premier League title? Why this new dawn feels different | OneFootball

Yet another new era begins, with Xabi Alonso at the helm, but something has changed

At a club that buys players, sells players, loans players and changes head coach as often as they do, it can feel like the beginning of a new era almost every summer at Chelsea. And usually is. This year, more than any other during BlueCo’s ownership, it does feel as though we have arrived at the start of a new chapter.

Xabi Alonso has benefitted from a full pre-season to take learnings from his players and plot out what might work over the course of this season, and what might not. His first competitive match in charge pits Chelsea against local foes Fulham, and pits Alonso against his long-time former Spain team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa and his successor in the Real Madrid dugout.

Alonso — hired as manager, not head coach — is tasked with guiding Chelsea out from the darkness and into the light. Some are tipping them to even challenge Arsenal for the title this summer. No European football means only one match most weeks, while new signings having quietly impressed many neutrals, and Alonso’s managerial pedigree is clear after a his sensational stint at Bayer Leverkusen, despite a torrid time in Madrid.

Is it a step too far to suggest Chelsea can challenge? The proof will be in the pudding. Chelsea should certainly benefit from a reduced schedule after a hellish two seasons, and their summer business has made them far stronger, but even just Champions League qualification would be a marked improvement on finishing tenth last term. Arsenal have a level of momentum, grit and big-game knowhow that Chelsea cannot yet compete with. It is up to Alonso to disguise those shortcomings as well as he can — and to instil these attributes in his team as quickly as possible.

A rested Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, the relentless Moises Caicedo, tireless Reece James and, for now at least, Enzo Fernandez; Alonso inherits some fantastic players. And his new employers have also spent big to further equip his toolbox.

Morgan Rogers, a childhood friend of Palmer’s, should give Chelsea’s attack a welcome new dynamic; Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria give wide areas added youth and bite; Maxence Lacroix is a Premier League-proven centre-back of real quality.

The most fascinating of their recruitments have, of course, been the signings of Jordan Henderson, 36, and Danny Welbeck, 35. Chelsea’s directors belatedly realised that their youth-focused model’s greatest failing was, indeed, the lack of on-pitch experience it perpetuated. How much Welbeck or especially Henderson will play remains to be seen, but their high standards, career experience and leadership qualities should help Alonso, and Chelsea, no end.

Chelsea must lay down a marker, they must do on opening night what Arsenal and Man City did

At a club that has shown itself over the last few seasons to be as much a business as a sports team, plenty of attention is still on the final eight days of the transfer window. The Blues’ unit of sporting directors are working hard to arrange loan exits for a number of players viewed either as not part of the club’s future or simply in need of more game time than Alonso could provide them.

Others are surplus to requirements and available for sale. Priorities for clubs in the early weeks of the season when the window remains open are always dual. As much for Chelsea as for anyone in the league.

First, though, they must start well. At Craven Cottage, Chelsea must lay down a marker, must do on opening night what Arsenal and Manchester City did, must not fall flat.

Drawing a London derby (against Crystal Palace) on the opening day last year set them up for a season where they lost two head coaches, needed two separate stints with the same caretaker, and finished tenth. Victory over Fulham would send immense confidence pulsing through a club craving that their great many decisions this summer pay off in the weeks and months ahead.