{"id":4719,"date":"2026-09-15T10:10:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4719"},"modified":"2026-09-15T10:10:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:10:58","slug":"john-obi-mikel-drops-xabi-alonso-verdict-and-asks-question-of-reece-james-at-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4719","title":{"rendered":"John Obi Mikel drops Xabi Alonso verdict and asks question of Reece James at Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Despite the underwhelming draw against Hull City on Saturday, John Obi Mikel remains a supporter of new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues have picked up seven points from their first four games in the Premier League this season, and have been scoring goals for fun.<\/p>\n

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Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have all been on top form<\/a> to help to contribute to 10 goals scored in just four games, however questions have been asked at the opposite end.<\/p>\n

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DISCUSS: It\u2019s time for Xabi Alonso to start Valentin Barco\u2026<\/h3>\n

The stats simply DO NOT lie \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Credit: Photo by Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images\/Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

John Obi Mikel gives verdict on Xabi Alonso as Chelsea manager<\/h2>\n

The Blues have conceded nine goals, including two against Hull as they could only leave Stamford Bridge with a point on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Even after the dust has settled from that result, Mikel<\/a> stated on the Obi One podcast<\/a> that he remains a firm believer that Alonso is the \u2018right manager for the club\u2019, and is willing to be patient to see the end result.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cListen, it\u2019s going to take time. I think Xabi Alonso is the right manager for this team, and the right manager for this club, going forwards. I think he has some really good ideas. I can see what he\u2019s trying to do. It\u2019s going to take a bit of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo by Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Chelsea squad have been quick to praise Alonso<\/a> and the environment he has created at the club since taking over, as we approach the first prolonged international break of the season.<\/p>\n

Mikel poses Reece James conundrum<\/h2>\n

Reece James<\/a> has proved an interesting conundrum for Alonso<\/a> to work out at Stamford bridge. So far, Alonso has used him in midfield.<\/p>\n

However, Mikel believes he does not have the ability to \u2018smell danger\u2019 that is required in that role.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe talk about our defence, but to defend well you need a holding player, whose job is to be there and shield the back four. <\/p>\n

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\u201cListen, Reece James has been absolutely superb, but he is not a midfield player. He\u2019s a right-back. So far, he\u2019s done a good job, but that\u2019s not his position. You have to be able to smell danger. So far, we do not have that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The wing-back role has so far been locked down by Pedro Neto, who will be facing the challenge soon of the returning Marco Palestra following his injury.<\/p>\n

There is opportunity to utilise the skipper as part of the back three, a position which Thomas Tuchel was not afraid to use him in when he was at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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