{"id":1501,"date":"2026-08-18T11:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1501"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:05:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:05:07","slug":"xabi-alonso-fires-shot-at-former-chelsea-coach-after-making-clever-hiring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1501","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso fires shot at former Chelsea coach after making clever hiring"},"content":{"rendered":"


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While Xabi Alonso\u2019s Chelsea playing squad could still change before the transfer window shuts, his coaching staff have been completed with the hiring of Austin MacPhee.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues have brought in MacPhee from Aston Villa<\/a> after he gained plenty of plaudits for his set-piece routines created in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea fans got a sneak peek at this with Moises Caicedo\u2019s<\/a> fine volley from the edge of the box after a Romeo Lavia corner picked him out.<\/p>\n

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What would YOU do with the \u00a3100m Chelsea could get for Pedro Neto? \ud83e\udef5<\/h3>\n

Al-Hilal are set for talks with the Blues this week!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Photo by James Gill \u2013 Danehouse\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Xabi Alonso fires shot at former Chelsea coach Bernardo Cueva<\/h2>\n

The club had previously spent big money to bring in Bernardo Cueva from Brentford to address set-pieces, however he has now moved to a role behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

Alonso spoke to MenInBlazers<\/a> about the hiring of MacPhee, and raved about his new coach, stating he now believes Chelsea<\/a> have the \u2018best possible specialist\u2019 after the change.<\/p>\n

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He said: \u201cWe want to have the best possible specialist in the department, and for sure Austin has the experience of the Premier League.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, as staff, it\u2019s going to be challenging to learn quick and adapt to the Premier League, so that we have people around like Austin, Ben [Roberts], other people that were here last year, with this fresh experience from the Premier League, it helps a lot and we are happy that Austin is now with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What does the future hold for Chelsea if Todd Boehly sells his stake? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Cueva\u2019s troubled time as Chelsea\u2019s set-piece coach<\/h2>\n

Cueva was spotted scrambling for ideas<\/a> on a number of occasions when Chelsea conceded goals from set-pieces, and his tenure in the role was not as successful as many hoped it would be.<\/p>\n

He had also clashed with Chelsea players and Enzo Maresca<\/a> during his time in charge, with the hope being that there will be far more clarity with Alonso<\/a> and MacPhee in the role.<\/p>\n

The new coach has a job on his hands to help the Blues at both ends though. They conceded 19 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League last season.<\/p>\n

They are becoming a far bigger opportunity for clubs to score every season, and Arsenal\u2019s dominance in the previous campaign is what Chelsea will be striving to achieve this season.<\/p>\n

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