John Terry has backed Xabi Alonso's start at Chelsea and praised the club for changing their transfer model this summer. The former Blues captain spoke highly of the new manager and the recent arrivals, including Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
Alonso's impact and Terry's endorsement
Alonso took over at Stamford Bridge this summer after Chelsea's tenth-place finish in the Premier League last season. The Spaniard has been backed in his first transfer window, with Morgan Rogers arriving from Aston Villa for a record £117million fee, along with Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria.
Terry, speaking in a video on TikTok, said: 'Really like him, loved him as a player. I met him very recently as well at the training ground and got a great feeling from him.'
'Just having conversations with the boys as well – I know it's early days – but the boys are speaking really positive of him and the sessions that he's doing.'
Shift to experienced signings
Chelsea have also addressed their lack of experience by signing Jordan Henderson from Brentford and Danny Welbeck from Brighton. Terry believes these players will be crucial for Alonso this season.
'It feels like the last couple of years we've missed a little bit of experience and we've certainly got that in the building now,' he added. 'So, Danny Welbeck coming in, Jordan Henderson, Lacroix at the back as well. I think they're going to be really important players and also tone setters around the place, players with big standards that have played at the very top.'
'Welbeck is a great signing for me. Jordan Henderson, I spoke about it in the World Cup, he's still a top player, still got so much to give and will help and guide these players.'
Positive outlook for the season
Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist has already tipped Chelsea as dark horses for the upcoming season. Terry echoed that optimism, saying Alonso is 'the best that we could have got' and a 'great signing'.
'To have someone so young, ambitious, who's also going to relate with the players, I think is the big key to this,' he said. 'I think we're all in agreement that we've got so many good young players around the place and we've been crying out for experience. So, we've not only got that in the manager, but three or four really good experienced players now.'
