Chelsea want Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso to replace beleaguered manager Mauricio Pochettino with immediate effect, but they face stiff competition.
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Pochettino's future in questionChelsea slip to 11th in PLWant Alonso, but deal unlikelyWHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues have slipped to 11th in the Premier League after damaging consecutive defeats to Liverpool and – most recently – Wolves, with eight goals conceded along the way. has reported that Pochettino's job is not under immediate threat, but according to the Chelsea hierarchy want to replace him with Leverkusen boss Alonso as soon as possible.
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The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star has supposedly caught the eye of Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali having guided the Werkself to the top of the Bundesliga, and remarkably his side remain unbeaten in all competitions at the start of February.
However, this would be far from a straightforward appointment. Alonso is sure to want to complete a potentially historic season with Leverkusen, and he will have no shortage of elite suitors in the summer as Jurgen Klopp prepares to step aside at Anfield and Thomas Tuchel faces an uncertain future at Bayern. He has also been linked with a return to Los Blancos, although Carlo Ancelotti has just signed a new contract there.
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Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 20 games with a 2-0 victory over Darmstadt on Saturday. They have never won the league, despite finishing as runners-up on five occasions. After a midweek cup tie, their next game sees them host title rivals Bayern in a blockbuster showdown.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
With Alonso likely out of reach, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will turn to other options or afford Pochettino more time. The Blues are now 14 points off the top four and face a daunting FA Cup fourth-round replay at Aston Villa on Wednesday.