"HUGE INFLUENCE" Kweku Afari EXPLAINS how Xabi Alonso has LIFTED mood in Chelsea dressing room

talkSPORT

talkSPORT discuss Jordan Henderson's Chelsea move, Chelsea's win at Everton, and Xabi Alonso's growing influence at the club.

The video covers the awkwardness of Jordan Henderson playing for Chelsea after his Liverpool legacy, then analyses Chelsea's win at Everton and the tactical switch under Xabi Alonso. The guest argues Alonso has improved the dressing-room mood and also debates Cole Palmer's England situation and Jude Bellingham's place.

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Transcript

You got Jordan Henderson. [laughter] >> It's crazy. >> I know. >> Your thoughts on Jordan Henderson as a man that follows >> as a Liverpool fan. I'm not sure what to think when I see a Liverpool legend, a Liverpool Premier League Champions League winner >> playing for Chelsea. >> Yeah. >> Like I don't know. It almost like just doesn't sit right with me. But then >> I understand Chelsea a Chelsea like a proper rival for you like dating back to like ghost skull times and >> Yeah. That that was when the rivalry obviously kind of started. And I suppose that's quite formative for you I guess as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's rivalry there. >> There's hatred there. >> There's hat there is hatred there for sure. >> And yeah, I don't know like Jordan Henderson is a Liverpool legend. Like not many people as we know in recent years have lifted a league title with Liverpool when he's been able to do that and win a Champions League and was Liverpool for the best part of 10 years. Um and yeah, it's kind of I'll be interested to see what kind of reception he gets. I don't think he's going to get booed. Yeah. Yeah, >> but you know people that pay their hard earned money, I'm just like when he scored that free kick and he's there and he's like touching the badge. I'm like, come on, Hendo. >> When he when he was doing that, even me as a Chelsea fan, I was bit like, you don't need there's no need to do that. I mean, we we don't need you to do that. Like I I I really appreciate the performance you putting forth for Chelsea, but like we know who you are. You're a Liverpool legend and and I don't need you to tap the Chelsea badge. [laughter] There's just like there's no need to kind of >> It's a real strange one because >> What about Jab Alonzo? What kind of reception will he get? >> No, I think that's different cuz he was there for what, two or three years, a long long time ago and he kind of moved on. Wendo was was Liverpool football club. He was the face, the leader, the voice of Liverpool for for what, six, you know, he captain Liverpool after Steven Gerard. Yeah. >> Like there's pretty big bootrophies. >> I think yeah, Alonzo is is probably a cult hero because he won the Champions League, but I wouldn't put them kind of in the same above him in terms of legendary status. >> I think he's got to be for the the time that he was there lifting a like he lifted the he won the Premier League with Liverpool as captain. So you think time will heal that like after he retires and like get five 10 years after possibly. It's kind of a bit like the Frank Lampard at Man City thing, isn't it? >> But but what is interesting as well is like >> I don't feel hatred towards him. >> I'd feel more conf like if it was Gerard you'd be kind of crying but I I don't know. It's a real tough one because I find it strange but like it it doesn't it just it just looks a bit weird and a bit wrong. >> It does look a bit weird. I I can't >> You're saying that? >> Yeah, bro. Of course. I'm This is a man that like and when Liverpool were at your very best, we weren't really competing. But I I used to hate watch Liverpool and and not want Liverpool to do well. And now he's a man that I'm cheering for does feel very strange. But I'm I'm happy he's doing the job. [laughter] But I think I think a lot of >> he never scored three kicks out Liverpool, [laughter] >> but he's a he's got a banger against us. >> That was some goal, wasn't it? >> Unbelievable. >> Such a good goal. >> Unbelievable goal. Um but he's he's it's testament to him as a player, right? He's gone he captain Liverpool. He's he went to play in Ajax. He or Saudi Arabia has come back to Chelsea and in his late >> 30s. Quo, how good was that victory yesterday for Chelsea away at Everton? >> Yeah, really good. It was the most satisfying victory of the uh of the season. I just I didn't think I'd see a clean sheet again [laughter] and we saw one. And I said it before, the most jarring thing for Chelsea fans is that modern Chelsea was built on the idea of being solid at the back and not conceding too many goals. and we all hop back to the 200405 season where we only conceded 15 league goals. And so to see a Chelsea side that's so brilliant going forward but so poorest at the back was very jarring to Chelsea fans. Um so the fact we got our first clean sheet and the fact that Alonzo was very quick to point out postmatch that despite the fact that Palmer, Rogers and Jedro didn't score in that game, he credited their defensive work and what they did off the ball. I think he made a point of making that point because we we talk about how many goals they score, but to be a consistent and well-rounded team, your attacking players are going to have to do the dirty work. That's what we saw from Liverpool when they're at their very best with Manet and and Firmino Salo a little bit less, but but this is that that's what you need to do. And so, it was a well-rounded performance. We kept our heads. It was fullblooded and against an Everton team that hadn't lost a game this season, we fit to their first defeat. And and it's not happy hunting ground. I know they've changed stadiums, but going to Goodson Park, going to Hill Dickensson has not been great for Chelsea in recent seasons. >> How important has all jokes aside, the inclusion of Jordan Henderson been in that midfield two alongside Kaisedo? >> Yeah, very very important. Um it was a baptism of fire for him. He made his Chelsea league debut um against Chance against um >> Brenford away. >> Brenford away and and it was difficult. was next to Valentin Barco and it it didn't go well. But since the international break uh against against Bournemouth and and yesterday against Everton, he showed why Chelsea brought him in. People laughed at Chelsea bringing in wellbeck and Henderson, but I think they're suit signings. It's a smarter thing as they could do 100% in terms of rectifying an issue they had been there in terms of how young the squad was and and you look at this is it you look at players like Enzo Fernandez and Cucarella >> Chihuahua lot of bark is there enough bite there is there enough but Jordan Henderson has a lot of bark and a lot of bite you mean the substance to what he says and substance to what he does endzo Fernandezella they're players that when they play for my club obviously I back them but they would shout a lot they'd put themselves around a lot but they were the two players that during one the international breaks were talking about that moving to different clubs and so got those bad apples out of the club brought in players that are professionals like Danny Warick and Jordan Henderson. I think we're better for it. We're not the finished article yet. We're not going to win the league but >> I remember it was around this stage um in 1617 when Antonio Conte changed things about changed from the back four to the back three and just went on that incredible run 14 games in a row and won the league in that year. Jav Alonzo under the radar that back three has changed. It is now a back four. Pedra is not playing as wing back. He's playing as a right winger and Josh Ashen Pong's playing as a right back. And so he's made a slight tweak to the system and I think it served Chelsea really well. >> Um what do you think should be the end for Chelsea this season? >> Top four minimum. I I would like us I would like us to It depends on what's happens with City, but >> sure. >> I would like us to finish in the top three. >> Do you think this Chelsea team though is is going to be harder to beat? I saw there was a moment when um Levi Cowell kicked the ball out a play so Barry could be treated and I saw that Palmer and J Pedro gave him hell for that like no don't do that it's not a head injury don't kick [clears throat] the ball out. Do you think that Chelsea ditched their kind of soft side a bit in that second half to get over the line? >> Yeah, I think I think again it's the sample size is small but I want to see a more street wise team and I think we saw that yesterday. Um Alonzo again made a point of saying that we've had games where we scored loads of goals but we don't always have to play beautifully. This was like one of his favorite performances this season because it was it was street wise and it was kind of smart and it was a proper away performance in the Premier League. 12:30 kickoffs are people do come acer. They're difficult and especially for the away team. So to go to to go to Hill Dickerson and get all three points, I'm really happy. I'm really really happy and and we'll just see how it goes. We've got Spurs next week. We'll see. We'll see. But I'm I'm >> Is that home? >> Yeah, Stanford Bridge. >> Yeah. And then we've got you at home for the following week. I I think you'll you'll beat us at the moment >> the way that we're playing unless we change manager and go go get Conte or something. I don't know. We'll see. >> Like [laughter] it surprises me that you want to go get Conte. It surprises me. I know that he's better. >> I'm I'm out of hope. I'm out of luck. Uh look, if United go and lose this game from here. >> We're going to be talking about that a lot more. >> Just on Chelsea though, um with some of the center halfs, obviously Cole's a bit more experienced than Ain Pong, but how high do you think both their their ceilings are? and in particular Levi Cole because like he came burst onto the scene with with real promise and he had a you know big injury didn't play last season. Do you think he is someone that can mature into you know one of Chelsea's better players and maybe more importantly a proper leader this season for the club? >> I think it was notable that Levi Cowill and Kaisedo both started last week um against Bournemouth and Cowill had the armband and then this week >> they both started the game and Kedo had the armband. >> Why would that be? I'm just intrigued to see. I think that Coldwell is still a relatively young player, especially for a center back. I think he probably needs to concentrate on his own game um and just get back to where he was previously. I think having the armband carries a burden as well. I think Kaisedo is a player that we know what Kaisedo is. He's a he's a quality center midfielder. Um but Cowwell is um I think a Champong's got a higher ceiling. I think yeah, I think his ceiling is a lot higher just cuz he's younger and also >> is he better at right back or center back >> right now? right back, but one of those players that will eventually move move to center back. Um, but he's he's strong, he's physical, he's really good on the ball. Um, he's comfortable dribbling the ball out of the out of defense as well. And so I really liked him, especially with Ree James going down with a long-term injury. >> Can't catch a break, can he? >> I I'm I'm almost I'm never going to be done with Ree James. I love him and I think he's an incredible footballer when he's fit. But I think now when I'm envisioning my my best Chelsea 11, >> if Free James is there, it's a bonus. I'm not putting him I'm not putting him there as like, oh, he has to play for us to be out of >> He's like a luxury player. >> It's a luxury player right now because his body just is is breaking down. It's letting him down. And obviously we know how good he is at football and how versatile and how important he is for Chelsea as our captain, but we just can't rely on him. Um, and so the fact that Josh Champongers can kind of play in the position that Ree James can play in is very, very useful for Chelsea and another common graduate as well. Um again very early days we really mentioned a tactical change from Javi Alonzo going to the back four. Um does do you think he looks like he is tactically an elite level coach that with time can take Chelsea back to where you want to be? >> OH ALL GONE. >> OH SUCH A BAD EFFORT. Cross in from the left hand side headed away. It was such a bad effort to describe it. It was such a bad effort. >> The cross from Okafur comes into the box. The clearance the heady clearance isn't the best. doesn't go very far >> and almost like it takes too much time to get to stack and his left he's short with his left foot. He completely snatches at it and it goes high and wide on Alonzo. Do you think again with time and with money with investment that he is tactically and a coach that can compete with with the very best in the world including Mckela? >> Yeah, I I I think so. I I believe with with with coaches obviously primarily it's about tactics and the way that you implement those tactics but communication is a huge part of the job and the way you carry yourself is a huge part of the job and when you hear Alonzo talk when you see him on the touch line just carries himself like a top manager um and I think that's translated to the players when you I heard Morgan Rogers talking the week talking about how inspirational his his team talks are at halftime and before the game and he's a play he's a manager that's having a huge influence on this squad um and it's it's a happier Chelsea dressing We'll see when we score goals and >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. More more of last week's story, but just interested for your thoughts. You know, the whole Cole Palmer leaving Stanford Bridge and walking and not signing. How I thought that whole thing was incredibly incredibly bizarre. Firstly, like why and how he's even doing that in the first place just just feels really strange. And then secondly, it was not a good look, was it? >> Well, him not sign. >> You see, he made a point of it yesterday taking the ballad. >> I knew I thought Chelsea would do it here. Um, yeah. I I I think I know that he he can't stop. >> If he stops, he's going to get. But I think that if you're walking and you literally have kids almost pleading with you, I think you can have the ability to at least acknowledge them, fistbump them as you carry on walking. >> Obama. Yeah, he's different generation. Jenzie, like he's just a different generation. I feel like it's difficult for some of us to understand him, but he's he's polite. He's nice. He's very focused on football. He loves football. Yeah. Um, and I, yeah, it wasn't a great look, but I think you learn from those situations. Um, >> yeah, >> yeah, you learn from those situations, but I don't think there's like any a stick to beat Cole Palmer with. >> No, I wasn't doing that. >> No, no, no, not even. But but right now, right now, this um there is an element of um there's there's a section of the media that I wouldn't say they've got in for Cole Palmer, but >> I think him pulling out of vegan squad and I didn't like that. >> No, >> that was a load of absolute nonsense. >> Yeah, him and CBY mainly pulling out. We know why they pulled out. Yeah, >> we know what they pulled out like like >> I don't know. Kobe KBY's actually been out with >> Tell you what, Ahmad's in here. >> Go on. Ahmad has gone do on goal right hand side and that is yeah leagues do really really well and again I I said he was in cuz I thought he was about to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper but I think his lack of pace just he almost slows down a little bit and it allows a couple of leagues players to >> I think maybe with the role the fact that he's play he's he's tracking back like I think he is actually it looks like he's playing right wing back so having to do the sprints either side >> could maybe be an explanation for that but yeah >> um Man United made a sub another sub Mount is on for Ble and Nemeta has come on for OAR um for this tell this fellow at the Bers games. >> Yeah, for sure. Um you said but KBY played the g the game following in breaker though, didn't they? >> Yes, he did, but he's missed the game since so I don't know whether it's like a >> B loves football. >> Yeah. >> Why didn't he go and play for England? >> Uh that I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that. I think he should have. Um I think he send I think he was trying to send a message. I think he's probably still affected by not getting pulled called up for the England. >> You think it was more of a two fingers up to Thomas Duke call >> a little bit. I think I think both both him and CBY like the fact that CBY didn't play the the third place game >> and then he he pulled out the first that squad. I I think those players were trying to make a point but >> and this was probably if you're going to try and make that point probably the best international break to do it because there's still so many before the next the next Euros and I think Copart plays the football that he should be playing this season he will get selected by Thomas Tul and Tulle showed us that players that he maybe didn't favor in a Trent and in a Jude if you play well he can get back into. >> Yeah. I suppose it's hard for a player like Palmer though like just given the depth of quality that England actually have in the areas that he plays on the pitch. >> You know, you're not getting Bellingham out the team, are you? >> No, but that that's is he's got to figure out because the thing is Cole Palmer this season, I know that he's changed the formation now. So Palmer's playing more traditional by the way, >> but um [laughter] but Cole Palmer to start off the season was playing off the right hand side. I don't think Baiaka is a guaranteed starter for England anymore. I think Baiaka is a man that's trying to find his best form. So Cole Palmer can find his way into the single team if he plays well enough. Cole Palmer gives you 20 league goals this season. Thomas Luka going to have to find a way to play. >> Yeah. Cole Palmer anywhere close to his best is one of the first names in a in a squad. >> So but but I agree with you Sam. No more putting out of England squads. Yeah. No, >> I don't like it. I didn't like you. I didn't know the reason for it. I thought it was a really really bad look >> cuz you can send the message again. Alonzo's diplomatic. He can talk to Thomas Tuk and say we're just monitoring his fitness. Can we have him on a restriction? I'm sure Tuk would have. >> Exactly. But and it was a longer break and he could have You're That's a really good point, mate. Like if if Tukul didn't want him if um Alonzo didn't want him playing four 90minute games of football, that's okay. They could have be clear communication and he should have been there in some capacity. I agree with you. I think he was just probably upset and miffed off didn't go to a World Cup and thought, "Oh, now you want me for the Nations League game in September." >> But those games felt important. Those games did feel important. >> It almost feels a bit cliche. A bit of a start of a new kind of a new phase, right? >> And and and some really good results. Croatia result was huge. The Spain game felt massive like it didn't feel like a normal international break and for not >> they weren't it wasn't San Marino away was it and whoever at home >> so I didn't like it I I can't I can't defend that