25 Jun 2026 17:59:45
Ed001
Assuming the Palestra to Chelsea news is true, did he choose London over Liverpool or did he choose money over career progress?
It cannot be for footballing reasons.
{Ed001's Note - the chance to work with a legend like Xabi Alonso does not come up every day mate. You would have to ask him for the reason though, I have no idea sorry.}
25 Jun 2026 18:20:08
Did Liverpool even make an offer for him?
{Ed001's Note - not that I am aware of. We were looking at him, but I don't think we made any kind of actual bid.}
25 Jun 2026 19:53:01
Ed 001 - with respect what do you mean by Legend (Xabi)✌
{Ed001's Note - arguably the best ever deep-lying playmaker to play the game, played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, the guy is a legend as a player. Then he went and coached Neverkusen to win their first ever Bundesliga in incredible style, going unbeaten in the league. And he has won it all at international level with Spain as a player too.}
25 Jun 2026 20:48:52
That about sums it up.
25 Jun 2026 21:06:03
Ed001 - without doubt an exceptional player and a great achievement with neverkusen as you say, but tbf do you see him being a success at Chelsea? Was he yr personal preference for Lpool? ✌
{Ed001's Note - he has a tough job on his hands, but then he had a much tougher one at Neverkusen and succeeded, so hard to say. There is a huge squad to work with and mould to his systems. Added to that, Pep has gone, leaving Arteta top of the tree, so a much lower bar to aim at than before. He has a good chance, especially as he has been given a lot of control, removing some of the main issues that former coaches there faced.
My personal preference from the start was Iraola, him or Hoeness, I kept changing my mind which I wanted more. I am happy with Iraola.}
25 Jun 2026 22:46:05
Shughes55, I don't recall anybody, ITK or otherwise, claiming we actually made a move. There was reported interest, but I don't think there was an offer, so it's a bit of a stretch to say he chose Chelsea over us if we were never at the table.
Shughes55, are you having a laugh, mate?
25 Jun 2026 23:31:13
Laddie, do really need somebody to explain to you why Xavi is a legend?
26 Jun 2026 09:05:03
Genuine question. How many players do you think the club take a look at, maintain an interest in, monitor and make enquires about over the course, say, of a season? I think the number would be considerable and I'd bet that a significant percentage of those looked at don't get further than that.
Because a name is mentioned on social media doesn't mean that we are going to follow up and make an offer for everybody we've had under consideration.
26 Jun 2026 19:42:25
Starseeker hi - no I don't not as a player, hence whyi elaborated. Ed001 suggested his player pulling power as a manager, and his amazing achievement at neverkusen is clear he'll be classed as a legend for that fanbase/ club history etc. For me though to be classed as a legendary Manager your looking at multiple titles / cups success (which may well happen for Xabi in the future? ) So I was simply curious and appreciated Ed001s knowledge and outlook on why he alluded to 'the chance to work with a legend like Xabi does not come up everyday"! Is Slot a legend? Ranieri for sure will be classed as one as it's completely unprecedented circumstances and rightly so.
For me Xabi atm is in the same club as a Manager and let's hope he stays there for a while in his new job eh.and let's hope Iraola is a 'Legend" sometime soon ?✌