Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has shared his thoughts on how incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso might approach his new role. Merson suggests that if the Blues secure a spot in next season’s Europa Conference League, Alonso could use the competition to experiment with tactics and evaluate his squad depth.
In his column for Sportskeeda, Merson highlighted that the Conference League offers a low-pressure environment where Alonso can try out different formations and give playing time to fringe players. “The Conference League will give Xabi Alonso the chance to improvise stuff,” Merson wrote. “He can use that competition to find out more about his squad. For a new manager at a big club, that is an asset.”
Alonso was recently appointed as Chelsea’s head coach and will officially take over after the current season concludes. The Blues are currently battling for a European spot, and Merson believes the Conference League could be pivotal for Alonso’s early tenure. Merson’s prediction comes ahead of Chelsea’s final Premier League match of the season against Sunderland on Sunday.