Xabi Alonso expressed that the “scar” from his brief stint at Real Madrid has healed, enabling him to fully concentrate on leading Chelsea into the upcoming Premier League season.
The Spaniard took over at the Santiago Bernabéu following a highly successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, but his time in Madrid lasted only a little over seven months, concluding after a defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final in January.
His tenure was complicated by rumors of conflicts with senior players, particularly Vinícius Júnior.
“Fortunately, I don’t have too many scars in my career,” Alonso shared with reporters at the start of Chelsea’s preseason tour in Australia. “Yes, I acquired a scar, but it has healed. Now I feel revitalized and eager to embrace this next chapter, just as I did when I began in Madrid.”
“Reflecting on my past experiences, I’ve taken away positives and learned from situations that didn’t go as planned. I have been quite critical of myself, contemplating what could have been handled differently since it didn’t unfold as I envisioned.”
“In terms of positives, I’ve gained many experiences, including the necessary adaptations, as well as various aspects that worked and others that didn’t in terms of gameplay and player management. It’s a blend of everything.”
Alonso is now responsible for revitalizing Chelsea’s fortunes following a disappointing 2025-26 season, which saw the west London club finish 10th in the Premier League and cycle through three different managers, leaving him without a European campaign this year.
Despite this, the 44-year-old remains optimistic about the club’s prospects this season.
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Regarding his choice to join Chelsea, Alonso commented, “The decision was guided by both my mind and my feelings,” gesturing towards his head and heart, respectively. “I recognized it was the right timing for the club and for myself, presenting a great opportunity.”
“This is a team that has shown strong potential in recent performances, and the situation wasn’t as dire as it appeared at the end of last season. There is significant room for improvement, and we’ll see how long that process takes.”
Chelsea will kick off their Premier League season with an away game against west London rivals Fulham on August 24.