Xabi Alonso Linked With Premiership Return

With his contract due to expire in June of 2014, Xabi Alonso could be one of the highest profile players to exit the Bernabeu should coach José Mourinho seek a new challenge elsewhere this summer.

The player himself is highly valued at the Madrid giants and they would be reluctant to part with their most creative midfield general. Many of the Directors of the club feel that he is a model professional and has always represented the values the club wish to project. For Mourinho, he is probably one of the 1st names on his team sheet.

Xabi Alonso is one of the few Spaniards in the dressing room to have remained loyal to the controversial Portuguese coach, a thing Mourinho himself respects greatly. He is a man that demands devotion from his playing staff and the divisions within the squad and lack of support from board level have left him feeling disillusioned with his lot at the Bernabeu, prompting speculation that he will leave this summer.

Contract renewal talks with the Basque midfielder have stalled and this week stories emerged that the player himself does not want to sign an extension and may wish to leave this summer if Mourinho does indeed depart Madrid. There have been repeated rumours of him wishing to return to his boyhood club, Real Sociedad. However, at 31, he may well wish to seek one final big contract.

Which begs the question, if he does leave, where will go?

Liverpool would appear to be a possible destination. It is well known that he still feels a great deal of affection for the club, but the man himself would probably still wish to be playing Champions League football and it is unlikely that he would find that at his former club.

One stand out option would be the possibility of following his current coach, José Mourinho. It wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility for the Portuguese manager to return to Chelsea. He was seen house hunting in London last year, a story of his daughters University education in the city emerged, but the Chelsea faithful still hold their “special one” very close to their hearts and would be overjoyed to see the man that changed their clubs fortunes return for a second crack at the Premiership. Could Xabi Alonso follow Mourinho to Stamford Bridge?

It is rumoured that the contract negotiations between Alonso and Madrid have stalled because of the uncertainty over Mourinho’s future at the club. If the Portuguese was to stay for another season, Alonso may also decide to see out his contract and leave on a free in the summer of 2014, easing his possible signing for Real Sociedad who could not afford a transfer fee plus the salary the player would expect.

Madrid themselves are believed to respect whatever decision the player will come to and if he does not decide to extend his stay at the Bernabeu will do all they can to help a man that has served them with much dignity.

Comments

comments

marks