Merson also argued that the UEFA Conference League “is an asset” to a new manager at a “big club”.
By Kehinde Okeowo
British commentator, sports television pundit and former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has said Chelsea’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, will seize the opportunity provided by next season’s UEFA Conference League to understand his players better if the Blues qualify.
He made this known in his column for Sportskeeda ahead of the West London outfit’s final Premier League clash against Sunderland on Sunday.
Alonso was recently appointed as Chelsea’s new manager and will take charge of the team after the conclusion of the current campaign.
The Blues are currently eighth in the league on 52 points with one game remaining. While they could leapfrog Brighton into seventh place by the end of the season, they are guaranteed to secure a top-eight finish if they win their final league fixture.
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Speaking on the development, Merson believes Alonso will “improvise stuff” at the club if Chelsea secure qualification.
“The Conference League will give Xabi Alonso the chance to improvise stuff,” he wrote.
He went on to assert that the Spanish tactician will use the competition to evaluate his squad depth if they qualify.
“He can use that competition to find out more about his squad. For a new manager at a big club, that is an asset,” Merson added.
