Here’s the latest update from the ongoing FIFA World Cup as of 2026-08-02 20:17:00.
Xabi Alonso has spoken about his previous challenges at Real Madrid, stating that the “scar” from that experience has healed, allowing him to focus on leading Chelsea into the new Premier League season.
Alonso’s brief stint at the Santiago Bernabéu followed a successful period at Bayer Leverkusen, but his time with Los Blancos ended after just over seven months due to a defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final in January.
During that period, there were rumors of conflicts with key players, particularly Vinícius Júnior. However, Alonso emphasized that he has moved on, saying, “Luckily, there are not too many scars in my career.”
As Chelsea’s preseason tour kicks off in Australia, he expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter, reflecting, “I take the positives and the things that didn’t work. I have been very critical of myself, thinking about what I could have done better.”
Optimism for Chelsea
Alonso is stepping into a challenging situation, with Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League last season and having cycled through three different managers. This disappointing performance means Alonso won’t lead Chelsea in Europe this term.
Despite recent struggles, the 44-year-old remains hopeful, stating, “It is a team that has played really well recently and the situation was not as bad as it looked at the end of last season.” He recognizes the squad’s potential to improve and is eager to see the results of their efforts.
Looking Forward
Alonso joined Chelsea at what he believes is the right time for both himself and the club. He described his decision as a mix of intuition and strategic timing, saying, “I saw it was good timing from the club, good timing for myself, a good opportunity.”
Chelsea is set to kick off their Premier League campaign with a match against west London rivals Fulham on August 24.
FAQs
What did Xabi Alonso say about his time at Real Madrid?
He mentioned that the “scar” from his experience at Real Madrid has healed, allowing him to focus on Chelsea.
When does Chelsea start their Premier League season?
Chelsea’s Premier League season begins with a match against Fulham on August 24.
Quick Facts
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- Source: www.espn.com – SOCCER
- Published: 2026-08-02 20:17:00
Stay updated on the FIFA World Cup 2026 right here as the tournament continues.
Tags: #Xabi #Alonso #Real #Madrid #scar #healed #Chelsea #situation #bad #looked #season
Tags: #Xabi #Alonso #Real #Madrid #scar #healed #Chelsea #situation #bad #looked #season
