Xabi Alonso has revealed the meticulous process behind his decision to take charge at Chelsea, telling the BBC he spent three weeks in early May holding low-key talks in London and his hometown of San Sebastian before committing to the role.
The new Blues boss said he wanted to be certain the move was the right one before signing on, admitting he had only ever viewed the club "from the outside" prior to those discussions. That due diligence, he explained, gave him confidence in what he could build at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso struck an optimistic tone about the project ahead, insisting Chelsea possess "big potential to improve" under his guidance. While the BBC report doesn't detail specifics of what was discussed in those meetings, Alonso's comments suggest a genuine excitement about the resources and squad at his disposal as he begins reshaping the team.