{"id":1839,"date":"2026-08-22T07:09:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1839"},"modified":"2026-08-22T07:09:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:09:58","slug":"gary-neville-makes-bold-prediction-on-where-chelsea-will-finish-under-xabi-alonso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1839","title":{"rendered":"Gary Neville makes bold prediction on where Chelsea will finish under Xabi Alonso"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The pressure is on Xabi Alonso in his first season as Chelsea manager, wih many people predicting big things.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea<\/a>\u2019s pre-season under Xabi Alonso showed promising signs, highlighted by a dominant 3-0 win over AC Milan and a 3-1 victory against Real Sociedad. <\/p>\n

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Supported by key additions like Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, Alonso has rapidly reshaped squad depth. <\/p>\n

Crucially, with no European football cluttering their midweek schedule, Chelsea hold a massive physical advantage over their domestic rivals. Extra recovery time and full weeks on the training pitch give The Blues a fantastic opportunity to stay fresh and build consistency.<\/p>\n

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Which Chelsea signing will have the best 26\/27 season, and why?<\/h3>\n

Will anyone top Joao Pedro’s impact last season?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gary Neville claims Chelsea can finish second in the Premier League<\/h2>\n

Speaking on Sky Sports after Arsenal\u2019s win over Coventry City, Gary Neville<\/a> made the bold prediction that Chelsea can finish second in their first season under Xabi Alonso. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re a certainty to finish in the Champions League place. I think they could even be second. They could get nearest to Arsenal. I think the signings of Welbeck and Henderson bring standards, discipline, organization, and guardianship of the dressing room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gary Neville\u2019s claim that Chelsea are set to finish second in the Premier League underlines just how quickly expectations have shifted at Stamford Bridge. <\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s academy will now be known as Cobham Next Gen, is this a worrying sign?<\/h3>\n

Just where is this ownership taking the club?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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While Neville previously questioned whether the squad had the spine for a sustained title charge in 2025, he believes Xabi Alonso\u2019s arrival may even put them above Manchester City. <\/p>\n

As Neville says, the Blues have managed to bring in experience, which was one of the biggest issues last season in winning positions in particular, with no one to take charge in key moments. <\/p>\n

However, let\u2019s lower the expectations. Finishing in the Champions League places should be the realistic target, with anything above that being a bonus. <\/p>\n

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