Chelsea legend Glen Johnson has backed Xabi Alonso as the right man to finally end the club’s exhausting and damaging managerial merry-go-round at Stamford Bridge.

Johnson called on his former club to show patience with the newly appointed Spaniard and give him at least two full seasons to prove his worth in west London.

The former Chelsea right-back pointed to Premier League champions Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta as the perfect example of what patience from a club’s ownership can ultimately deliver.

“I think Xabi Alonso is a great appointment for Chelsea,” Johnson told football.london, courtesy of LiveFootballTickets. “He is someone who the players will respect on both a playing and managerial level, which this squad definitely needed.”

Johnson was equally clear about the broader situation at the club, adding that the managerial instability at Stamford Bridge has gone on for far too long and needs to stop.

“The Chelsea job has been one of the hottest managerial seats in world football for far too long now, and I think Xabi could be the one to change that,” Johnson said.

Alonso will officially begin his role on July 1, signing a four-year contract and becoming BlueCo’s sixth permanent manager since the ownership group took charge of the club.

The Spaniard is set to be handed greater power and control over Chelsea’s transfer strategy, with sources indicating the club views him as their long-term on-pitch leader.

That control will be tested immediately, with the future of Enzo Fernandez dominating the summer transfer agenda at Stamford Bridge heading into the new season.

Sources say the 25-year-old Argentina international has informed Chelsea of his desire to leave before the new campaign begins, with Real Madrid understood to be interested in his services.

Chelsea will not stand in Fernandez’s way if a £120 million offer arrives, though the question remains whether any club will be willing to meet that valuation for the midfielder.

Johnson urged Fernandez to stay put and use his energy more constructively under Alonso’s management at the club going forward into the 2026/27 campaign.

“He’s a brilliant player and too good a player to let slip away cheaply,” Johnson said. “I hope he stays at Chelsea and uses his energy in a more positive way under Xabi Alonso.”

The former Blues defender also acknowledged that Fernandez’s larger-than-life personality had created difficulties at times, particularly given that he captained the side for much of the previous season.

“I think both Enzo and the club need to figure out what they both want long term and deal with it,” Johnson said. “Big personalities like Enzo are needed at successful football clubs, but it has to be channelled in the right way to inspire the squad, not disrespect the club.”

Johnson’s final message to Chelsea was straightforward, urging the board to back Alonso with time and trust in the same way Arsenal stuck with Arteta through difficult periods before ultimately winning the Premier League title.

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