The perfect signing: Why Xabi Alonso could be Chelsea's Andrea Pirlo

 
Joe Krishnan29 October 2013

When Xabi Alonso left Liverpool in 2009 for Real Madrid there wwas nobody more disappointed to see the Spaniard leave than Reds captain Steven Gerrard.

When Alonso’s transfer was announced, the England midfielder said he was 'devastated', and it’s clear to see why. Alonso had made 210 appearances, scoring 19 goals in his five years at the club, and earned himself a place in Anfield folklore with his goal in the Champions League final in his first season at the club.

A poised figure in the midfield, he was always a calming influence in the midfield, and had formed an excellent understanding with Gerrard under Benitez. The club’s fortunes have dipped since his departure while Real Madrid clearly benefited from the Merseysiders' loss.

In his four years at Real Madrid, Alonso has matured into an even more complete midfielder. An excellent player in the holding position, the 31 year-old is a prime manipulator of play.

He can dictate the pace with consummate ease; a vital asset for a manager to have when trying to shut out the game. And that’s something which made him a key player under Mourinho; he only missed 10 games in the league during Jose Mourinho’s three year tenure.

His goal record has never been spectacular - four goals in 132 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid – but that’s not his forte. His whole game is based around creating opportunities for others, and this aspect of his playing style is world renowned.

While players such as Frank Lampard have become less impactful on games as their pace has waned, Alonso's game has barely been affected, due to it being based very little on pace and runs into the box.

In this manner, Alonso could have the same impact on Chelsea that Andrea Pirlo has had on Juventus. Pirlo has thrived for both his club and Italy since joining on a free transfer from AC Milan in 2011. Pirlo conserves his energy, but his football brain is as sharp as ever.

Alonso's awareness of what is going on around him is essential to his play, allowing him to anticipate his next pass before he has even received the ball. It’s that quality and elegance which he possesses, knowing where his teammates are at all times, which made him such a crucial part of the Real Madrid side that won the La Liga title in 2010/11.

Reports in the Spanish media suggest that the former Real Sociedad midfielder will reject the offer of a new deal at Real Madrid, and this has led to him being targeted by his former employer Mourinho at Chelsea.

The pair remained close after Mourinho’s exit from the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, and there were several reports claiming Alonso was close to joining the Blues, after Florentino Perez sanctioned a deal to sign Asier Illarramendi, who has a similar style of play to Alonso.

The Portuguese tactician is known to be actively searching for a deep-lying playmaker to sign in January, and with Marco van Ginkel currently sidelined with a long-term injury, signing the Spaniard on a free transfer, even on a short-term basis, would make perfect sense.

With question marks over the quality of John Obi Mikel and the declining impact of Lampard, a deep lying pair of Alonso and Ramires would provide an effective platform for Chelsea to launch their attacking play. The Brazilian's industry would compliment the Spaniard's craft - although the latter is no slouch when it comes to breaking up opposition attacks.

A reunion between Mourinho and Alonso at Chelsea is truly an exciting prospect for Blues fans.

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