'Chelsea could be real dark horses next season if they aren't in Europe'
[Getty Images] On the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison and former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison spoke about incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso and the personality he will bring to the Premier League. Morrison said: "Xabi Alonso will be good. If Chelsea can get recruitment sorted in the summer, I think they will surprise a lot of people.
"I would have loved Xabi Alonso to go to Liverpool but Arne Slot is still in a job so when a job like Chelsea comes along, you have to grab it with both hands. " The former Liverpool midfielder will start work at Stamford Bridge on 1 July, despite being heavily linked with the managerial position at Anfield after leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent back in January. "Alonso is a top manager.
He won't be one of those characters like [Roberto] De Zerbi on the touchline but he thinks about the game, he is a student of the game," Morrison continued. "I know it didn't work out for him at Real Madrid, but it's a big club and these things can happen. I think he will be a very good appointment for Chelsea and I think we will be talking about a lot about Xabi Alonso next season.
" Hutchinson said: "He needs to have a lot more control than previous managers have had and I think he will get it because he commands respect. He's not a rookie coach, he's not a young guy. He is well respected as a footballer and a manager.
" Alonso will be Chelsea's third boss in a year, after the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. "Chelsea's hierarchy need to back down and listen to the professionals now. The sports scientists and the owners need to take a step back and listen to what Xabi Alonso wants, his needs, his experience on the pitch," Hutchinson added.