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Newly appointed Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has declared his intention to build his team around "special player" Cole Palmer. Despite missing out on Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the ongoing World Cup, where the Three Lions have reached the semi-finals, the attacker is determined to shine. Alonso believes the midfielder has the unique quality to lead the Blues back to the top.

Xabi Alonso has opened up on his decision to take the Chelsea job, admitting that his arrival at Stamford Bridge over a sentimental return to Liverpool was simply a matter of timing. The Spaniard, who enjoyed a legendary playing career at Anfield, was officially unveiled as the new Blues boss after leaving Real Madrid, where he took charge during one of the club's most difficult seasons before departing prior to the end of the campaign, having previously enjoyed a highly successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to sign free agent John Stones, arguing the England defender would bring experience and leadership to a young squad. The former Blues striker believes Chelsea's lighter schedule next season could also help minimise concerns over Stones' injury record.

Four years into BlueCo's so-called 'project' at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have spent some £1.9 BILLION ($2.5bn) on new signings, and a haphazard approach to the transfer market means there have been some absolute clangers among them. For every success story, like Cole Palmer or Moises Caicedo, there have been multiple monumental and costly failures.