Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 25 May 2026 12:15, UK

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Xabi Alonso will not waste any time beginning to change Chelsea for the better when he begins his role as manager.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes Chelsea’s owners will take a “back step” with Alonso in charge.

Alonso will begin his work at Stamford Bridge on July 1st, and is expected to be given more power on transfer decisions than his predecessors.

The Spaniard had success as manager of Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge, before an eight-month spell as Real Madrid boss.

Chelsea have had two permanent managers this season, and failed to qualify for any form of European football despite having spent around £1.9billion since BlueCo took over the club in 2022.

Chelsea fans have ‘hope’ under Xabi Alonso’s leadership

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes the Chelsea ownership won’t “intervene” in what Alonso does at the club.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness is backing the 44-year-old to get the best out of Chelsea’s crop of young talent.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We’ll see the owners taking a back step, but they’ll be watching.

“I don’t think they’re going to intervene like they have done. Whereas Liam Rosenior was probably too compliant. I don’t think Xabi Alonso will be. Alonso will want to do things, and set his stamp on it from day one.

“You may see a new invigorated Chelsea and there will be a belief that this is a manager that finally understands them, is a player’s player and will be able to read players much better and get this big collection of talent they’ve got finally sparking.

“There’s hope for Chelsea next season to really be competing at the top end.”

Chelsea risk losing star player this summer

Whilst he is officially not yet in charge of Chelsea, Alonso is beginning to make his summer transfer plans behind the scenes.

The Blues struggled to score goals towards the back end of the Premier League season, and Alonso will be keen to strengthen his attack this summer.

Striker Liam Delap is expected to leave the club, but sources have told Football Insider that Chelsea have no intentions of allowing Joao Pedro to depart.

Pedro has been linked with a move to Barcelona, as the La Liga side will lose Robert Lewandowski in the summer when his contract expires.