Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea could become a serious contender in the Premier League next season despite finishing 10th and missing out on European football. The former England and Manchester United striker said the club’s absence from continental competitions could give new head coach Xabi Alonso valuable time to settle in and implement his ideas.
Chelsea ended a turbulent campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on the final day, missing out on both the Europa League and Conference League. The Blues also parted ways with managers Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior before appointing Alonso. Speaking on his podcast, Rooney said having only one game a week would benefit the club and allow Alonso to establish his philosophy.
Rooney described Alonso as a manager with the potential to succeed at the highest level and said Chelsea’s situation could make them “a real threat” in the league next season. He added that the extra training time compared to rivals involved in Europe could give Chelsea an advantage, particularly with pre-season disrupted by the World Cup.
Chelsea began the season as Club World Cup winners but struggled for consistency, exiting the Champions League in the round of 16 after an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Rooney noted that the lack of European fixtures could provide Alonso with more opportunities to work with his squad and build cohesion.
He pointed to Chelsea’s history of bouncing back, recalling their 2016-17 Premier League title win after finishing 10th the previous season, and suggested a similar turnaround could be possible under Alonso. Rooney said the circumstances could allow Chelsea to surprise many and re-establish themselves among the league’s top clubs.
The comments have sparked discussion among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that Alonso’s appointment and the reduced schedule could help Chelsea recover, while others remain cautious given the club’s recent instability. Rooney’s optimism highlights the intrigue surrounding Chelsea’s prospects as they prepare for the new season.
