Xabi Alonso is yet to officially arrive at the Chelsea helm but could exploit one of his relationships at Real Madrid to poach a star talent from La Liga
Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is “still messaging” former charge Arda Guler despite his exit from Real Madrid. And it’s that same bond with the player that could lead to a reunion if things go Chelsea’s way this summer.
Alonso, 44, was at the Real helm for barely six months before he was fired in January. However, it’s become clear that was sufficient time for the Liverpool icon to build a lasting rapport with Guler, whom he convinced to remain at the Bernabeu.
The Turkey international was being linked with the Real exit after struggling for minutes under previous administrations. And that show of faith could see the pair work together again in future if Guler’s flattering comments are anything to go by.
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The 21-year-old has even confirmed the pair are still in touch with one another as he recently told Turkish outlet TRT Spor: “The truth is that we had a brilliant relationship. I felt as though he’d handed me the keys.
“It was exactly what I was looking for, honestly. Now he’s signed for Chelsea. I hope everything goes well for him. Of course, we’re still messaging each other.”
Reports as recent as last year suggested Guler was made to fell “invisible” by Carlo Ancelotti after a flat first 18 months with Los Blancos. However, that all changed when Alonso stepped through the doors at the Bernabeu, a promising sign that any player at Stamford Bridge will be fairly considered under the new boss.
Prior to this season, Guler had managed just 24 starts in La Liga across his first two campaigns with Real. However, Alonso’s trust in the player helped that figure balloon to 25 league starts this term alone, even after injury sidelined him towards the end of the campaign.
“After the match against Bayern Munich [in the Champions League quarter-finals], he told me he was very proud of me,” added the youngster. “I was really happy to see the message. I hope God smooths his path. I think he’s a great manager.”
There may come a point this summer when Chelsea find themselves in need of a player fitting Guler’s profile. Joao Pedro is understood to be drawing serious interest from Barcelona and will require an adequate replacement if his contributions in attack are removed.
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Guler went on to describe Alonso’s approach to management in finer detail and lauded the Spaniard’s tactical nous: “When he calls you into his office and explains something about tactics, it’s very hard not to be convinced. He knows exactly what you’re capable of.
“He knows exactly what he can offer you. In other words, he [is] a man who, probably, [wakes] up every day thinking about how to improve a player, how to communicate with him.”
Reflecting on his time with Alonso, whom he misses, he highlighted his first match of the season: “Before our first match, when I was in the starting 11, he told me that morning, ‘I want you to touch the ball more than everyone on your right.’ When you hear that, it doesn’t take much to be convinced.”
Guler’s words paint a fond picture of what to expect from Alonso when he eventually takes the reins at Stamford Bridge on July 1. Not only that but his remarks send a strong signal that the new Blues boss could give Chelsea a leg up in the race to recruit Guler should he become available in future.
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