Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin has tipped the Blues to kick on under new manager Xabi Alonso after last season’s disappointing finish.
Chelsea failed to live up to expectations last season after finishing in 10th.
But the arrival of the Spaniard Alonso, 44, has bought a new wave of optimism to the club.
And speaking exclusively to South West Londoner, Nevin said: “I happen to love Xabi Alonso, I think he is intelligent and I think he knows the game.”
However, Nevin – who played 28 times for Scotland – warned against applying too much pressure after the club limped to a 10th place finish under the leadership of three different managers last season and eventually missed out on Champions League football.
Ask Me Anything with Xabi! 🇪🇸
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 7, 2026
Watch in the full on our App to see if your question was answered. 💭
He said: “My concern for Chelsea is that they have to get back into the Champions League, you cannot spend the money Chelsea do year in year out and not make it…
“If you’re out of it for a long time then even those finances which Chelsea get from elsewhere in the world – and they are sizeable – they’ll dry up.”
Chelsea have a net-spend of over £200 million this summer after signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, as well as veteran Premier League players Danny Welbeck, 35, from Brighton and Jordan Henderson, 36, from Brentford.
Nevin, who played 242 times for the Blues, said: “We all knew Chelsea did not have enough experience and it cost them time and time again last season – these signings in Henderson and Welbeck might be fantastic but everyone gets on a bit.
Embed from Getty Images“When the dip in quality happens it can be a bit like falling off the edge of a cliff, I’m hoping that doesn’t happen.”
Alonso is one of three new managers to have taken charge of a so-called ‘Big Six’ club this summer and the ownership have backed him in the transfer market.
The former Real Madrid manager joins Andoni Iraola at Liverpool and Enzo Maresca – who managed Chelsea at the beginning of last season – at Manchester City, who are also taking charge of their first season with a new club.
Micheal Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi took charge of Manchester United and Tottenham respectively during the course of last season and will be hoping to kick on after having a full pre-season with their squads.
Despite changes across the top, last season’s champions remain many pundits favourites to retain the title with BetTOM representative Nevin citing the stability enjoyed at The Emirates as a key factor in Arsenal retaining the title.
“It’s a brilliant moment in English Premier League Football, one of the toughest seasons to call but Arsenal I think are the strongest,” added Nevin.
“They (Arsenal) were my call last year and they’re my call this year but I don’t think they’re that much stronger than Manchester City and I think Liverpool are still capable of turning it on.
“The other thing I would say about Arsenal is that one of their strongest players, William Saliba, is injured and Declan Rice is knackered, at the World Cup I was watching and the guy can’t help but give anything less than 100%!
“When you’ve got two of your core players who are feeling the pain of a long, long season; injuries and then a World Cup on top of that, it’s difficult.”
Nevin suggested that the title is up for grabs despite Arsenal’s strengthening this summer but that for Chelsea the focus ought to be a return to the Champions League.
The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday August 21, with Chelsea’s first game being the West-London derby against Fulham on Monday August 24.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Virginia Marinova on Unsplash
Join the discussion