The Liverpool legend could sign for Reds’ bitter rivals Chelsea.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has earmarked a potential move for Real Madrid’s Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, reports The Daily Express.
Alonso’s contract expires next summer, and the Blues would be allow to offer him a contract in January under the Bosman ruling, meaning the talented Spaniard could arrive at Stamford Bridge next July.
His injury problems means he has struggled for any game time whatsoever at Madrid this season, and Mourinho is keen on taking a chance on the player who helped him win his only La Liga title in 2011/12.
What the midfielder could bring the Blues:
Alonso has been one of the best passers in European football over the past decade. His ability to sit in a deeplying playmaker role helps Real Madrid (and previously Liverpool) dominate possession of the football.
He practically never gives it away, in fact.
What he lacks in physical strength nowadays (he’s 31-years-old), he makes up for in practically unrivalled technical ability.
His calmness on the ball and wonderful vision enables him to start attacks from deep. He can play long diagonals to onrushing wing-forwards, or sharp, incisive passes into the feet of advanced midfielders and attackers.
Alonso rarely scores goals, but has a delicious delivery from set-pieces, so racks up plenty of assists.
Where he’d slot in the lineup:
While the midfield partnership of Ramires and Frank Lampard is effective, it arguably lacks guile. Lampard is a goal threat, and Ramires is dynamic, but neither have the class of the Spanish legend.
Alonso could sit alongside either of them in a midfield three, or play alongside Ramires, enabling the Brazilian the licence to get forward. Alongside Lampard, Chelsea’s midfield would severely lack legs, and it’s unlikely Mourinho would want to pair the two in the fast-paced Premier League.
Alonso’s brilliant highlights:
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