What Xabi Alonso will have learned from Chelsea's FA Cup final defeat | OneFootball

Two players will have made an early good impression on the new manager - and two will have not

If the FA Cup is traditionally the curtain call for the domestic season, then this year’s final provided a glimpse into Chelsea’s future.

Alonso signed a four-year contract on Sunday morning to become Chelsea manager from next season, bringing a swift end to the club’s search for Liam Rosenior’s permanent successor.

Setting up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, it escaped no one’s attention that Calum McFarlane’s system was, in essence, a poor imitation of the all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side where Alonso built his reputation as one of Europe’s most highly regarded managers.

Levi Colwill impressed again

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Chelsea were functional if lacking fluidity against City. They had come to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side and for 72 minutes they had made fairly easy work of limiting their attack.

A moment of magic from Semenyo ultimately settled a tight game in City’s favour. But for Chelsea’s defence, particularly the peerless Levi Colwill, they showed their class in a game of few clear-cut chances.

A late bolter for England’s 26-man World Cup squad, Colwill impressed at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.

His line-breaking passes cut through City’s press to give Chelsea a foothold, while his defending was composed and unfussy.

Since returning from a serious knee injury last week, he has restored calm to a Chelsea defence that have not kept a Premier League clean sheet since January.

Jorrel Hato will also have made a good early impression on Alonso after a dynamic performance at Wembley as one of Chelsea’s auxiliary centre-backs.

Coupling a mature defensive performance with energy and courage in attack, this was one of Hato’s best performances in a Chelsea shirt.

Cole Palmer again struggled

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No one doubts the quality within Chelsea’s squad, and Alonso has shown himself capable of harnessing that talent. But there are a number of players in need of a reset.

Cole Palmer has never looked fully fit or fully able to trust his body this season after a troublesome groin injury. He picked up good positions against City, but could not execute what he wanted.

Moises Caicedo, too, has struggled to replicate the same form that saw him crowned Chelsea’s Player of the Season a year ago.

Chelsea’s season has ended with a whimper and yet there is renewed hope following Alonso’s appointment.

The sixth permanent manager of the BlueCo ownership, Chelsea have to make it work with Alonso.

They have given him more autonomy and the title of manager rather than head coach. The proof, though, will be in the pudding. This is not the same team that had title aspirations just last summer.