“Really hopeful” – McFarlane on how Xabi Alonso should react to academy claims

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·24 Mei 2026

“Really hopeful” – McFarlane on how Xabi Alonso should react to academy claims

Chelsea fans are curious if their new manager will be interested in using the academy, and interim Calum McFarlane has said he would crazy not to be.

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As well as the usual stuff in his press conference yesterday, interim manager Calum McFarlane was asked about some questions about incoming coach Xabi Alonso. There was a question about whether the new man would look to the famous Chelsea academy.

McFarlane was confident he would. In fact, he would be crazy not to, given the quality of players produced there.

McFarlane on the “world-renowned” Chelsea academy

“I think there are lots of players who can make the transition. They can make the jump. You just look at our captain Reece James, you look at Levi Colwill, you look at Trevoh Chalobah. These are players from Cobham,” McFarlane said.

“It’s world-renowned and I’m sure Xabi knows that. It’s a massive appeal for coming to this club, the amount of talent we have in the younger age groups, and they train with us two or three times a week, so he’ll be able to see them up close. I’m really hopeful some boys can make the jump.”