Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa become Premier League rivals at Craven Cottage | OneFootball

Chelsea, led by Xabi Alonso, visit Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, opening the Premier League with old friends now standing on opposite sides.

According to NY Times, Alonso, 44, and Arbeloa, 43, were both dismissed by Real Madrid last season. Arbeloa was promoted from the reserves to replace Alonso, who lasted until January after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of 2024-25.

Their careers have long intertwined. After Liverpool stints, they moved to Real Madrid in 2009. Alonso left in 2014 for Bayern, Arbeloa stayed two more years before an injury-hit finale at West Ham, and together they won major honours with Spain across 38 caps.

Both retired in 2017 and started coaching in Madrid’s academy, Alonso in 2018 with the under-13s, Arbeloa two years later at the same level. Alonso then led Real Sociedad B and Bayer Leverkusen, winning the 2023-24 German double and losing only the Europa League final to Atalanta.

Arbeloa remained at Madrid, rising to Castilla last summer before Alonso took the first team weeks later. They worked closely at Valdebebas discussing prospects, and Fulham have since signed forward Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios from Madrid.

Their styles contrast, Alonso measured and exacting tactically, Arbeloa more permissive and outspoken, and he recently saw red for protesting a late penalty in a 2-2 friendly at Malaga on 12 August. Alonso joined Chelsea in May, Arbeloa arrived at Fulham in early July, and this will be their first meeting as opponents.

Source: NY Times

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