Xabi Alonso will not thank former teammate for applying the pressure on Chelsea this season

Xabi Alonso may not thank his former Liverpool teammate for his comments during his punditry work, as the pressure on Chelsea’s season has increased before a ball has even been kicked in the Blues’ colours.

Speaking after the Arsenal v Coventry on the Sky Sports coverage, Jamie Carragher was speaking about Chelsea's prospects for the season. In his admission, he claimed that the Blues are in good shape with a strong midfield.

They are dead certs for the top 4 position. I think Chelsea will challenge [for the title]. Could arguably be the biggest challenge to Arsenal.

Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso played 199 matches together for Liverpool across all competitions, including the famous 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul. Carragher’s comments came while the former centre-back was making his predictions for the Premier League’s top-four finishers this season.

Gary Neville has also raised expectations around Chelsea by insisting that the arrivals of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck will bring the standards needed to secure a return to the Champions League. The former Manchester United assistant manager went one step further, suggesting the Blues “could even be second” behind Arsenal.

It comes after Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who was also part of Sky Sports’ coverage on Friday evening, predicted that Chelsea will pose the greatest threat to Arsenal’s title defence.

The reasons for the high expectations

The biggest factor behind the heightened expectations is the “no European football” factor, which gives Chelsea a significant advantage in terms of preparation. With no midweek European fixtures to contend with, Alonso can give his players a full week, or close to it, to prepare for each Premier League game. That extra recovery time could prove crucial across a long season, particularly for a squad that has struggled with injuries and consistency in recent campaigns.

For Alonso, his tactics, preparation and ability to get the best out of his players will be the biggest tests of his first full season in charge. Chelsea have considerable quality throughout the squad, but turning that potential into consistent performances and results will ultimately determine whether they can challenge for a Champions League place.

Experience will also be a significant factor. The arrivals of Jordan Henderson, Maxence Lacroix and Danny Welbeck have added players with experience at the highest level, while also raising the standards within the dressing room and on the training ground. Their influence could prove particularly valuable for Chelsea’s younger squad, providing leadership and helping Alonso establish the mentality required to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

Time will tell whether those expectations will not be too heavy for Xabi Alonso