{"id":1998,"date":"2026-08-23T15:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T15:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1998"},"modified":"2026-08-23T15:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T15:03:08","slug":"xabi-alonso-has-just-proven-blueco-have-failed-to-address-key-position-four-years-after-takeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1998","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso has just proven BlueCo have failed to address key position four years after takeover"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso will take charge of his first official match as Chelsea manager on Monday when his side face Fulham at Craven Cottage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One player who is expected to start the game is Robert Sanchez<\/a>, who was Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> first-choice goalkeeper last season.<\/p>\n

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This summer, Chelsea have been linked with Diogo Costa<\/a>, but the club have been quick to shut down rumours about the Porto star.<\/p>\n

Despite making some high-profile errors during his time at Stamford Bridge<\/a>, Chelsea still appear to believe in Sanchez.<\/p>\n

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Where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026\/27?<\/h3>\n

Let’s hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Xabi Alonso refuses to confirm Robert Sanchez as No.1<\/h2>\n

While Sanchez is likely to start at Craven Cottage on Monday, Alonso<\/a> did not confirm whether he would be Chelsea\u2019s No.1 this season.<\/p>\n

Mike Penders has returned from his loan at Strasbourg and is expected to compete with the Spaniard for the spot between the sticks.<\/p>\n

Speaking about Chelsea\u2019s goalkeeper situation ahead of the trip to Fulham, Alonso said via the Daily Mail<\/a>: \u201cWe want healthy competition in all the positions. We will see. The pitch is the boss of everything. I don\u2019t decide. The players need to show me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is amazing that this is still a talking point four years after BlueCo\u2019s purchase of Chelsea. Sanchez was bought in 2023 and has never totally convinced.<\/p>\n

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The 28-year-old was even dropped last season, though his deputy Filip Jorgensen was never able to take full advantage.<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper is a position that needs certainty. The fact that Alonso cannot say who his No.1 is yet really shows that BlueCo have failed to bring in a reliable and consistent shot-stopper in their four years of owning the club. <\/p>\n

If anything is going to hold Chelsea back this season, it could be that. Hopefully Sanchez can cut those serious mistakes out of his game. If not, he could lose his place in the team to Penders.<\/p>\n

Whether Penders is ready to be Chelsea\u2019s No.1, though, remains to be seen. The Belgian is still just 21 and has not been tested in the Premier League<\/a> yet.<\/p>\n

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