Xabi Alonso demands emerge after Chelsea talks progress over new manager role | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso wants assurances on the ability to build a project, if he is to become the next permanent Chelsea manager.

The 44-year-old has become the favourite for the role at Stamford Bridge, with some progress having been made over the past week.

Alonso is understood to see many attractive elements in the job, with the Independent reporting last week that he feels the squad largely fits his approach and football philosophy.

Having in February left a Real Madrid role hampered by player power and wider problems, however, the former midfielder naturally wants to take care to ensure he doesn't find himself in a similar situation.

The modern Chelsea is obviously a very different club, but Alonso's camp are naturally aware of perceptions of how the football side has been run and the relatively short periods that both Enzo Maresca and especially Liam Rosenior spent at the club.

In response to those concerns, Chelsea would point to extenuating circumstances with both.

Alonso wants to be able to properly impose his ideology on the team, despite instability in recent months at Stamford Bridge.

As reported in the Independent's Inside Football this Friday, Liverpool have not made any contact with Alonso, and want to persist with Arne Slot.

That is despite the 44-year-old's playing connection with Anfield and a general clamour from the fans.

Meanwhile, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane will lead the Blues out at Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup final against Man City.

Chelsea will then turn attentions back to the Premier League, with the result at Wembley set to determine their predicament in the race to play in Europe next season.

Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid mid-season (PA Wire)

Currently outside the European places in ninth, Chelsea must rely on other results to qualify for Europe should they fail to defeat Pep Guardiola’s side and clinch both silverware and Europa League football next season.

The gap to Brighton in seventh, and Conference League football, is four points, with Tottenham at home and Sunderland away set to complete the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.