New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is planning showdown talks with a wantaway star as one of his first orders of business at Stamford Bridge, according to a report.

Chelsea confirm Xabi Alonso as new manager

Less than 24 hours after Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Man City, the club moved to draw a line under a frustrating season by officially confirming Alonso as their new manager.

The 44-year-old Spaniard has signed a four-year contract running until June 2030 and will formally begin his role on July 1, giving him a full pre-season to shape the squad before the new campaign.

In his first message to supporters, Alonso described Chelsea as "one of the biggest clubs in world football" and spoke of the "immense pride" he felt at being given the role.

He also made clear that his conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership had convinced him they shared a common vision — one built around hard work, culture and winning trophies.

The appointment brings an end to weeks of speculation and a managerial search that considered the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and Cesc Fàbregas before settling firmly on Alonso as the outstanding candidate.

Chelsea have also given him the title of manager rather than head coach — a subtle but meaningful distinction that reflects the broader influence he is expected to have across the football operation.

That influence is already being felt.

Xabi Alonso set for showdown Chelsea talks with Marc Cucurella

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, who was the one of the first to report on Chelsea's concrete interest in Alonso, the ex-Real Madrid boss has wasted no time turning his attention to squad planning.

One of his first acts will be to sit down with Marc Cucurella for what promises to be a pivotal conversation about the left-back's future.

Phillips reports via his Substack that Alonso is keen to keep the Spain international and views him as a player who fits his tactical ideas.

However, the situation is not straightforward.

Cucurella has two years remaining on his Chelsea contract, and there is a widely held understanding within the game that the defender harbours a strong desire to return to Spain before his career winds down.

On top of that, City have been linked with a move — a connection that could develop further in the coming weeks.

Most significantly, Phillips' sources indicate that Cucurella "has been set on leaving" Chelsea since January. If accurate, that represents a considerable obstacle for Alonso.

Persuading a player who has mentally checked out to reverse course and commit to a new project is one of the hardest tasks in management, regardless of how compelling the pitch might be.

Cucurella has been a consistent presence in the Chelsea side this season when fit, making 48 appearances across all competitions and contributing one goal and four assists in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old joined Chelsea from Brighton in August 2022 for around £60m and has had mixed fortunes at Stamford Bridge, enduring injuries and managerial upheaval but eventually beginning to perform very well as a key starter.

Cucurella is also entering his peak years, and the prospect of losing a player of his quality — particularly one who won the Euros with Spain in 2024 — would leave a hole that needs filling at a position where reliable options are not easy to find.

For Alonso, the Cucurella conversation will be an early test of his powers of persuasion.

If he can convince the defender to stay and buy into the project, it sends a powerful message to the rest of the dressing room. If he cannot, Chelsea will need to move quickly to find a replacement, and the summer window will already feel shorter than it should.