{"id":6151,"date":"2026-09-27T05:03:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T05:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6151"},"modified":"2026-09-27T05:03:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T05:03:48","slug":"two-time-champions-league-winner-on-chelsea-shortlist-once-admitted-xabi-alonso-is-his-idol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6151","title":{"rendered":"Two-time Champions League winner on Chelsea shortlist once admitted Xabi Alonso is his idol"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The market never stops for Chelsea\u2019s transfer team, and the latest player to be added to the Blues\u2019 list once admitted that he idolised current Blues manager Xabi Alonso.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having failed to get a replacement in for Enzo Fernandez in the summer, it is safe to say that Chelsea<\/a> are going to target a midfield signing in the January window. Lamine Camara remains a possible addition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, Manu Kone and plenty of other midfield players continue to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, even if there are still a few months before the January transfer window opens.<\/p>\n

Marcos Llorente once said he idolises manager Xabi Alonso<\/h2>\n

Over the course of the last seven seasons, Marcos Llorente has become an Atletico Madrid icon. He joined Diego Simeone\u2019s side from Real Madrid in 2019, having come through the Real Madrid set-up.<\/p>\n

During his years at Real Madrid, he was part of the squad that won the 2015-16 and 2017-18 Champions League titles. But after seven years under Diego Simeone, Llorente looks destined for English football.<\/p>\n

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According to TeamTalk<\/a>, Chelsea are one of several Premier League sides interested in signing Llorente. His contract at Atleti runs out next summer, and the Blues are considering a cut-price move come January.<\/p>\n

The Blues have an ace up their sleeve. Talking about Alonso<\/a> while watching him play for the first team while in the academy, Llorente admitted that his idol was the man currently sitting in the Blues dugout.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cMy footballing idol is Xabi Alonso and I hope to win as many titles as I can with Real Madrid,\u201d as per Managing Madrid<\/a>. That might just help Chelsea get a deal done for Llorente, ahead of their rivals.<\/p>\n

Llorente would take the pressure off of Reece James<\/h2>\n

Already this season, injury has struck for skipper James. Forced to play in midfield, even if John Terry prefers him at right-back<\/a>, James was out injured against Brentford and has missed playing for England.<\/p>\n

Those who like a wager would put money on James picking up more injuries between now and the end of the season. What better way to cope with James\u2019s absence than by bringing in Spain star Llorente?<\/p>\n

This is a player who has always been a midfielder, coming through at Valdebebas as a midfielder, but has moved to right-back in the last couple of years. A player who can do both positions, like James.<\/p>\n

With the skipper often unavailable and Llorente a massive fan of Alonso, a deal for Llorente seems very plausible. Whether Atleti are willing to sell him in January is another question entirely.<\/p>\n

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