Granit Xhaka has already explained the difference between Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso as he nears Chelsea job

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Xabi Alonso looks to be returning to the Premier League with Chelsea and it will be an appointment that very much perks the interest of Arsenal fans.

Chelsea have struggled this season and the departure of Enzo Maresca and subsequent appointment of Liam Rosenior proved disastrous.

Nevertheless, the Blues are close to appointing Alonso. As we know, the Spaniard is one of the most respected young coaches in Europe.

Indeed, one man who has played under Alonso and also Mikel Arteta is Granit Xhaka.

And looking back at some past comments from Xhaka, he has identified the difference in the pair.

Granit Xhaka’s comparison of Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta

It didn’t work out for Alonso at Real Madrid but that shouldn’t be a measure of him, given so many top coaches fail there.

He did succeed in Leverkusen though and that’s where Xhaka got a first-hand look at the former Liverpool midfielder in action.

“Mikel for example, he has his philosophy and that’s it. You know, this always change the sides, the free man, let him jump for example. Always to play a back four, never changes to a back five or four four two, so we have this four three three, one six and two eights,” Xhaka explained.

“Xabi is a little bit different. He can play a back four but also play a back five. What he wants is always to have two number sixes. Not running everywhere but more of the time to keep the position.

“I think that if you are a coach, you need your own philosophy and your own ideas. Of course you can change a few things but not too many.”

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Chelsea have a long way to go to match Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal

Xabi Alonso should be a solid appointment for Chelsea. They will need to give him time and let him manage things but in the main, he looks a shrewd addition.

However, when it comes to challenging Arsenal, Chelsea look miles off it.

Sure, they have spent a huge sum of money in recent years and have assembled a talented young squad with some good players.

But when you look at the XI, is there anyone really in that team who gets into Arsenal’s current XI? The answer is probably no barring an argument for Cole Palmer.

Chelsea have a long, long way to go before getting near the Gunners. Yes, Alonso can get them closer but just like Mikel Arteta many years ago, he’s right at the start of his journey.