Xabi Alonso has confirmed his Chelsea captain for the 2026/27 campaign but has left the door open to some uncertainty about who he will rely on as his deputy.
Alonso was unveiled as Chelsea’s new manager in May, signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. The 45-year-old becomes Chelsea’s first manager since José Mourinho in 2013, as the club’s previous appointments under both the current and former ownership were officially designated as head coaches.
The Spaniard recently sat down with Men in Blazers to explain the difference between a manager and a coach. Alonso said: “Well, to be involved in every decision related to football, but it’s not just my decision. It’s a common decision that we analyse, that we evaluate, that we prioritise, and we try to design a plan to make it work.”
One player who will be crucial to those ambitions is Reece James. The Chelsea captain is entering his eighth season in the first team at Stamford Bridge and will work under his seventh different permanent coach.
Alonso has now confirmed that James will captain the club. The 26-year-old academy graduate has retained the role for a fourth consecutive season after taking the armband from Chelsea legend César Azpilicueta. James was originally appointed captain in August 2023.
The position of vice-captain remains uncertain, with Alonso giving little away during his latest press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash with west London rivals Fulham.
Alonso was asked by reporters whether Enzo Fernández was still the club’s vice-captain. He responded: “Reece is the first captain and we have other leaders, other personalities that share the same role.”
With Fernández wearing the armband for part of the 3-1 pre-season victory over Real Sociedad last Saturday, Alonso had the opportunity to clarify his leadership structure. However, his comments suggest Chelsea’s hierarchy could consist of several leaders rather than a clearly defined vice-captain.
Who could be Alonso’s ‘other leaders’?Despite not naming any player in particular, Alonso has a host of players in the squad who could step up to take on greater leadership responsibilities, regardless of whether Fernández commits his future to Chelsea.
One option could be Levi Colwill, who wore the armband for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino in 2023.
Another option is Moisés Caicedo, who has taken the armband on several occasions in James’ absence. Cole Palmer is another candidate, having captained Chelsea during their FA Cup victory over Port Vale in March.
James was unavailable for that match due to a hamstring injury, while Fernández was serving a club-imposed suspension following his comments relating to the city of Madrid. Chelsea head coach at the time, Liam Rosenior, told reporters that “a line was crossed”.
With 169 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, Fernández possesses plenty of leadership qualities and would be an ideal candidate to serve as vice-captain for the upcoming campaign.
However, with Alonso unable to guarantee the Argentine’s future at Chelsea amid continued interest from Manchester City, there remains a degree of uncertainty over whether Fernández will retain a prominent role within the club’s leadership group.
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