{"id":5626,"date":"2026-09-21T12:37:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T12:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5626"},"modified":"2026-09-21T12:37:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T12:37:39","slug":"is-xabi-alonso-under-pressure-gary-lineker-gives-verdict-on-chelsea-managers-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5626","title":{"rendered":"Is Xabi Alonso under pressure? Gary Lineker gives verdict on Chelsea manager’s future"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It is too early to suggest Xabi Alonso might be considered a candidate for the sack at Chelsea. Ultimately, he\u2019s had two bad results after an excellent start \u2013 but Gary Lineker\u2019s verdict is worrying.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso<\/a> watched his Chelsea<\/a> side beat Fulham, Luton, Brighton and Leeds, and give a good account of themselves at The Emirates. But the draw at Hull and then the loss at Brentford has fans aggrieved.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s chances<\/a> of finishing in the top four have just got a whole lot worse, according to Opta. Now, the pressure is on gaffer Alonso to plug the leak at the back \u2013 but is he under pressure as manager?<\/p>\n

Gary Lineker delivers \u201cyou never know\u201d verdict on Alonso<\/h2>\n

Speaking on The Rest Is Football<\/a>, Gary Lineker<\/a> was discussing Chelsea\u2019s leaky defensive line. He said that Alonso has got to get it sorted if Chelsea are to have a successful season \u2013 before mentioning Alonso.<\/p>\n

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How would you rate Xabi Alonso’s first weeks at Stamford Bridge?<\/h3>\n

What has worked, and what needs improving? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cThe basis of any successful team is to have a solid defence. As much as I love forward play and attacking football, you do need that behind you because otherwise it puts too much pressure on you to score.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t score three or four every game. That\u2019s something Alonso needs to address. He will be given plenty of time, I would hope. You never know in this game,\u201d Lineker added, on Alonso\u2019s job security.<\/p>\n

Two reasons why Chelsea fans need to be patient<\/h2>\n

Alonso is not going anywhere for the foreseeable, that is obvious. But it is understandable why Chelsea fans might be worried that the club will make a trigger-happy decision and oust any long-term success.<\/p>\n

But the first reason why Clearlake and Behdad Eghbali won\u2019t let Alonso go early, is because they will be desperate to rid the club of Todd Boehly\u2019s image. Eghbali worked hard to get Alonso through the door.<\/p>\n

Then, secondly, Alonso\u2019s Leverkusen shipped more goals<\/a> than Chelsea have done in his first few games with the German club \u2013 including a 5-0 hammering. After that, Leverkusen won the league without loss.<\/p>\n

Alonso needs time to work, even if his first season at Chelsea does not go according to plan. Blues fans have to get used to the idea that the first season is an evolution and the second is when it all clicks.<\/p>\n

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