Alonso warns Chelsea revival will take time as he targets Premier League and Champions League

Xabi Alonso says Chelsea’s return to the top of English and European football will require patience, careful decisions and a clearly defined long-term project rather than immediate success delivered by spending and transfers alone.

Speaking in an extended interview with former Liverpool team-mate and Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher, Alonso explained why he chose Chelsea, outlined his ambitions for the club and reflected on his first experiences in the Premier League.

The Spaniard said the timing of his move was crucial. The end of his spell with Bayer Leverkusen, followed by a period of rest after his time at Real Madrid, gave him the opportunity to consider his next challenge.

Although he had no previous connection with Chelsea, Alonso believed there was a genuine opportunity to make a difference at Stamford Bridge. He said the club already had a strong foundation, but required adjustments and new signings to improve its balance and competitiveness.

Alonso stressed that building a side capable of competing at the highest level could not be completed in one season. He identified the first campaign as an important period for establishing the foundations of the project, with progress over several years dependent on making the right decisions.

He also said agreement over the club’s future direction would give the team a better chance of developing. Positive results, he added, would only become sustainable through continued work.

Alonso outlines Chelsea’s long-term targets

Chelsea have won both the Premier League and Champions League in the past, but Alonso does not regard a return to either competition’s summit as an immediate objective.

The manager said the club’s history created clear ambitions, while insisting that restoring Chelsea to that level would demand planning, patience and the construction of a team capable of challenging consistently.

Chelsea had played only seven matches at the point of the interview, but Alonso said the early signs were encouraging. He believes having a clear sense of direction is as important as short-term results.

For Alonso, the challenge is to combine the desire to win every match with the development of the players, creating a squad that can remain competitive in the future.

He also said his view of Chelsea’s leadership had changed after meeting the club’s senior figures, hearing their ideas and understanding their plans for improving the team. In his view, a manager should be involved in decision-making rather than being responsible only for what happens on the pitch.

Alonso highlighted the importance of communication between the owners, sporting director and coaching staff. He said shared responsibility in both success and failure was essential to creating a united structure, while a manager who feels like a genuine partner in the project can work with greater clarity.

Lessons from Leverkusen and Liverpool

Alonso compared his current role with his experience at Bayer Leverkusen, where his daily relationship with sporting director Simon Rolfes was particularly close. They worked in the same office and regularly discussed players’ performances, their mental state and the team’s needs.

Their conversations went beyond technical matters and were not based on simply giving instructions. Alonso believes that broad cooperation helped create a successful working relationship.

At Chelsea, he pointed to the close involvement of Sam Jewell, Paul Winstanley and Joe Shields, saying regular coordination between those responsible was vital to ensure clear roles and joined-up work.

Alonso also recalled joining Liverpool from Real Sociedad at the age of 21. He had to establish himself among senior players including Steven Gerrard, Carragher, Dietmar Hamann and Sami Hyypia.

He remembered a difficult challenge from Gary Speed in a match against Bolton as an illustration of the Premier League’s intensity. He also highlighted Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Norwich, when his performance helped him earn the confidence of those around him.

Alonso said winning the respect of experienced and local players was key to overcoming the difficulties of his early months in England. That same philosophy now underpins his Chelsea project: build a strong structure, establish a shared vision and accept that lasting success cannot be rushed.