Chelsea tipped to sign Liverpool defender as Xabi Alonso's first transfer | OneFootball

Dutchman was a key part of Bayer Leverkusen’s double-winning team

Chelsea have been tipped to reunite Jeremie Frimpong with Xabi Alonso this summer as Marc Cucurella eyes the exit door.

His debut campaign on Merseyside was largely hampered by injury. He suffered a hamstring strain on his Premier League debut and struggled to recapture the form which earned him his Premier League move.

He shone under Alonso in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic double-winning season before making a £29.5 million move to Anfield, but Gaizka Mendieta reckons it would make sense for Chelsea to bring him back together with his former head coach.

“Jeremie Frimpong could be a good asset for Xabi Alonso at Chelsea,” he said. “Managers have players they trust from previous clubs and there will be a belief from the player that they can find that form again.

Reunion pending: Jeremie Frimpong and Xabi Alonso

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“We often see players reuniting with former coaches for that reason, especially if things aren't going well for those players like Frimpong at Liverpool.

Frimpong would of course have to compete with Reece James for minutes should he move to Chelsea, though his deputy Malo Gusto has been linked with a move away.

Cucurella has also been linked with a move away, with Barcelona said to be keen on a deal, but the former Blaugrana midfielder Mendieta reckons he will stay put in west London.

“I think both Barcelona and Real Madrid would suit Marc Cucurella,” he continued, speaking to Grosvenor Sport, who have doubled their World Cup odds on England.

Gaizka Mendieta represented Barcelona during the 2002/03 season

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“He is very intelligent tactically and can adapt to different roles. We’ve seen him be more defensive, and we’ve seen him more offensive, playing higher up almost as a winger.

“Obviously, his connection with Barca is stronger, but again, it's a matter of opportunities, a matter of playing Champions League football and not losing his role in the national team.

“I’m not sure we'll see him leave this season, especially with Xabi Alonso coming in. I'm sure Xabi will trust him and want him in the team. But it's something players think about, a season without Europe is a big miss for an international player.

“Cucurella will be a key player under Xabi Alonso. He plays with fullbacks quite offensively, it's very demanding physically because you have to support the midfield.

“The fullbacks at Leverkusen used to be quite prolific in attack, so that suits Cucurella.”