Alonso: Chelsea move driven by head and gut

Overlooking Sydney's skyline, Alonso explains the visceral pull behind his Chelsea decision.

Xabi Alonso

coach

View profile →

What happened. In an interview in Sydney, Xabi Alonso explained why he chose Chelsea, citing both his head and his gut as decisive factors.

• Alonso is Chelsea's fifth permanent manager in four years under BlueCo.
• He pointed to his head and gut when describing the decision.
• He acknowledged the high-pressure nature of the Chelsea job.

“For sure it had to be a lot from here [his head] and also from here [his gut]. It has to be from the guts.”

— Xabi Alonso

Alonso faces the challenge of succeeding where four predecessors failed under the current ownership.

In this story

J. AlonsoChelsea

More to read

BBC Sport

Alonso heals Real Madrid scars to lead Chelsea's senior revolution

Football.London

Xabi Alonso interview: Why he chose Chelsea, Real Madrid 'scars', San Sebastian and transfers

Daily Mail Football

Chelsea launch new outcast training group of stars working separately to team-mates ahead of potential exits - as Blues look to trim squad

Mirror Football

Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson exiled at Chelsea as Xabi Alonso forced to take action

Football.London

Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and two new Chelsea signings training away from first team

Football Italia

Napoli interested in Chelsea and Man United attackers as well as Gabriel Jesus