Chelsea turn summer of gloom into wave of enthusiasm with critical appointment | OneFootball

This is a syndicated version of this story, originally featured on the BBC Sport website.

Part of the recipe for football’s incredible popularity is the way that a summer break of buying and selling players and changing things around behind the scenes can convince any fanbase that things are set to improve in the season to come, no matter how badly the previous one ended.

Chelsea are a perfect example right now. The Blues are in about as bleak a situation as most fans can remember: an ownership nobody likes, players they have no connection with, incompetent and seemingly invulnerable sporting directors, dreadful results. But a big injection of hope can make all those intractable issues feel manageable again, and that’s just what the news about Xabi Alonso being appointed as the club’s new manager has done.

Xabi Alonso makes instant change of mood at Chelsea

In reality, changing manager won’t fix any of the big picture problems, but it’s such an exciting appointment that it at least feels like it can help solve enough smaller issues so that long term progress can be made further up the chain. The whole debacle of this season will feel worthwhile if Alonso fulfils his potential as a coach.

Most fans didn’t dare to dream that the former Liverpool star would consider taking over at Chelsea. We don’t yet know exactly how he was persuaded – either the club have been willing to bend to some of his requirements, or perhaps his stock was lower than it appears from the outside following a brief spell at Real Madrid.

Whatever went on behind the scenes, his arrival brings a wave of enthusiasm to the club at a low moment, and means this summer will once again be one of hope and excitement about another fresh start and another chance to return to the top of the sport.

Will Faulks @willfaulks