Why it makes sense for Xabi Alonso to acquire Edmond Tapsoba as his first Chelsea signing

[p][b][a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D6y3n49aUcv8w4Qc5D5Jw?si=V6RB6uNHSZGaDdV6CGtudQ&nd=1&dlsi=dc8225a36edc4a54"]You can now listen to this article via Spotify[/a].[/b][/p][p]The 2026/27 campaign has to be the one where the ownership finally gets it right in terms of not just who is in the dugout, but how much they allow [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alonso-xabi/hAcTWKKN/"]Alonso[/a] to get on with the job in hand without interference.[/p][h2]Will Alonso have a European campaign to guide Chelsea through?[/h2][p]Each transfer window under Clearlake Capital has been a free-for-all with multiple incomings and outgoings in each one.[/p][p]The reasons for such upheaval aren't clear, though the evidence as to how it affects squad morale, cohesion, and the ability to compete is there for all to see.[/p][image alt="Chelsea's current Premier League position" id="87e3aac0-a332-4517-93e3-a22d9df92cda" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="b51e20a3-92ce-48b2-9bfa-9836b189bd05" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]For example, the final Premier League game of the season against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a] represents three different visions for the club.[/p][p]Win and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a] lose, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] will be in the Europa League. Win and the Seagulls also win, and the Blues will contest the Conference League again.[/p][p]Lose and either Sunderland or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brentford/xYe7DwID/"]Brentford[/a], should the Bees win against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a], will enter the Conference League, and Chelsea will have no European football to look forward to at all.[/p][h2]Spaniard must be allowed to get on with the job[/h2][p]For a squad of such outstanding players, that precise 'russian roulette' type of situation is nowhere close to being good enough, but seemingly pushing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maresca-enzo/nJsvYDRG/"]Enzo Maresca[/a] out of the Stamford Bridge exit door, followed by the ill-advised appointment of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rosenior-liam/4fMAHvLm/"]Liam Rosenior[/a], has to play a part in why the West Londoners are where they are.[/p][p]So, there now has to be an understanding between the men at the top and their first-team manager that the latter knows best.[/p][embed guid="53b5d88a-a92c-44e4-93f2-75b552f20e34" url="https://x.com/ChelseaFC/status/2055921389639459068" social-type="twitter" /][p]Alonso is one of the brightest young tactical minds in the game and doesn't need businessmen telling him how to manage a team of football players.[/p][p]Their job is to accede to his whims and wishes in terms of players required, giving Alonso no excuses for not going on and winning silverware at the club.[/p][h2]Tapsoba could be Alonso's first signing[/h2][p]Though his time at Real Madrid came to an early end, Alonso's stint at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayer-leverkusen/4jcj2zMd/"]Bayer Leverkusen[/a] is far more noteworthy. One can't forget that he was just one game away from completing a treble-winning season completely unbeaten.[/p][p]The way he had his group of players totally in sync was extraordinary, and they simply never gave up in any game.[/p][image alt="Edmond Tapsoba radar graphic - Bundesliga 2025/26" id="501acca9-6744-48c4-b078-17a15bd6b708" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="5b98be04-7735-4363-b66f-21ca9ad19ff3" original-width="768" original-height="576" /][p]That sort of fight and tenacity is what's been missing at Stamford Bridge for a while now, and it's precisely the way that Leverkusen stalwart, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tapsoba-edmond/d4z5zQ7g/"]Edmond Tapsoba[/a], plays the game.[/p][p]It won't come as any surprise, then, that Alonso is preparing to bring the towering centre-back to West London as one of his first signings for the Blues.[/p][h2]Physical and reliable[/h2][p]At 27 years of age, the imposing defender from Burkina Faso is, evidently, in his footballing prime.[/p][p]He shone under Alonso, and whilst the Bundesliga outfit collectively has had a disappointing season in 2025/26, Tapsoba's star has still burned brightly.[/p][image alt="Edmond Tapsoba touch map - Bundesliga 2025/26" id="17f1bfaf-658c-4456-8e04-73b557c0ea56" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="c2837b6e-f1d5-42de-87d1-8d303a7a228a" original-width="768" original-height="576" /][p]With 3,867 cumulative minutes played across the campaign, only [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/garcia-aleix/QD7noPXB/"]Aleix Garcia[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/grimaldo-alex/6cAIrW5Q/"]Alejandro Grimaldo[/a] have played more. Starting 43 of his 44 total games is also a nod to his reliability.[/p][p]Although his 12 yellow cards - the most in the team - could be reined in, Alonso certainly won't mind Tapsoba getting stuck in, in what is arguably the most physical of the European leagues.[/p][h2]Solid pass completion[/h2][p]Only Garcia has made more than his 3,466 total passes, with the same player the only one to complete more than Tapsoba's 3,125.[/p][p]A pass completion success of 90.16% is one of the highest in the Leverkusen squad, and would help to build Chelsea attacks from the back if Alonso reverts to type in the dugout.[/p][image alt="Edmond Tapsoba's pass completion - Bundesliga 2025/26" id="33124d17-937f-4f9d-ad5c-78b53e180d42" credit-line="Opta by Stats Perform" guid="cad372a2-20ae-4baa-a72b-9652564c6b74" original-width="768" original-height="576" /][p]Never frightened of allowing his players to take responsibility - much like his mentor, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guardiola-pep/hxNijWrJ/"]Pep Guardiola [/a]- Alonso can forgive mistakes when they're made if he can see his players are happy to take those risks and are playing with bravery. [/p][p]Tapsoba's 221 clearances in 25/26 can't be topped by any of his teammates, and nor can his 119 headed clearances. [/p][h2]Pace, power and purpose[/h2][p]He's made no errors whatsoever leading to a goal for the opposition in the current campaign, and the 227 times he's recovered possession is just one less than Garcia, who leads this particular ranking.[/p][p]300 one-on-one duels attempted is the third most in the squad, and a 54.67% success rating is also one of the best.[/p][embed guid="3fd8fdbd-65b6-4bc4-a738-33426b363a28" url="https://x.com/bayer04_en/status/2049413554738975214" social-type="twitter" /][p]One facet of his game that's often overlooked is his pace from a standing start, and he's rarely beaten in a foot race for precisely that reason.[/p][p]Though he's only recently signed a new deal with Leverkusen, this isn't thought to be a stumbling block to his signing for Chelsea.[/p][p]It would see a current incumbent lose their place, of course, but if the Blues want to seriously be considered as amongst the elite domestically and in Europe again, then it's this calibre of player that needs to be acquired.[/p][image alt="Jason Pettigrove" id="3073c1f0-b7cc-4047-8476-4d3c16fa0db4" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="9ae83e4f-a5a6-483e-9931-94ddcc9c4476" original-width="1200" original-height="380" /]