Chelsea change course with Alonso primed to banish the chaos of youth

Xabi Alonso, 44, begins his tenure as Chelsea manager with a Monday trip to Fulham, having overseen a strategic shift towards signing more experienced players such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. The move comes after Chelsea endured a disciplined-plagued 2024-25 season, accumulating 11 red cards across all competitions. Alonso has emphasized 'emotional control' as a key focus, aiming to bring composure to a squad still largely comprised of young players.