In the peculiar ways that football operates, the two coaches who led Real Madrid last term will oppose each other in a West London clash this evening.
After the Spanish powerhouse, in characteristic fashion, opted not to extend Xabi Alonso’s stay less than eight months into his Santiago Bernabeu spell, they appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as caretaker until the conclusion of the previous campaign. In Real’s official statement, the La Liga club refrained from specifying the duration of Arbeloa’s agreement, though widespread belief suggested it would run until the season’s end – which indeed proved accurate.
Arbeloa departed the Spanish capital earlier in the summer and subsequently signed a three-year deal to become Fulham’s new head coach. Having overseen the Madrid first team for merely a few months alongside a stint with their B team, Arbeloa embarks on his inaugural Premier League managerial position as something of an unproven quantity.
Chelsea’s new boss Alonso, however, is well-acquainted with Arbeloa. The pair struck up a close friendship when Arbeloa arrived at Liverpool as a player back in 2007. Alonso had been at Anfield under Rafael Benitez since the summer of 2004.
The Spaniards cultivated a strong bond during their time together on Merseyside. Alonso even moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 to join Arbeloa. Following their retirements from playing, both enrolled in Real’s youth coaching setup.
Their careers being so remarkably connected means Arbeloa against Alonso, Fulham against Chelsea in tonight’s west London Premier League opener comes as no surprise. They have shared numerous memorable moments both on and off the field, particularly as part of Spain’s victorious national team during the celebrated 2008-2012 period, but all of that becomes irrelevant at Craven Cottage.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Alonso stated that while relationships exist off the pitch, once the game begins there are no friends and no history. He emphasised that it is simply ninety minutes of competition for their respective clubs, with everything else left until after the final whistle.
For Chelsea, tonight’s fixture feels long overdue. The waiting period began 99 days prior, when the Blues had just suffered defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley – an outcome that should have dominated headlines. However, the announcement that Chelsea had appointed Alonso on a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge somewhat stole the spotlight.
Following what the club’s owners and sporting directors described as a period of introspection after dismissing Liam Rosenior in April, Chelsea conducted a thorough process before selecting the impressive Alonso.
Since then, Alonso has won over everyone at Chelsea. The squad has embraced his intensive approach to training sessions, with one insider describing the atmosphere at the training complex as the most positive it has been in some time.
The fanbase remains united in their support for Alonso – a rarity for Chelsea supporters, especially during BlueCo’s ownership. The standing ovation during this month’s pre-season victory over Real Sociedad, when the Spaniard was officially introduced to the Stamford Bridge supporters, spoke volumes about his reception.
Seven and a half months have passed since Chelsea’s previous visit to Craven Cottage, when incoming head coach Rosenior observed from the stands before assuming leadership later that week. That evening concluded with a pervasive sense of doubt.
Tonight, the mood from Chelsea’s perspective could not be more different. Alonso is viewed as the club’s saviour, and tonight the waiting ends.