Alonso's Chelsea challenge: a 46-player squad and a chaotic transfer window

Xabi Alonso arrives at Chelsea with a formidable task on his hands, with the club having assembled a 46-player senior squad and a transfer strategy that has raised eyebrows.

According to Mirror Football, the Blues have begun the Alonso era in their trademark convention-defying fashion, splashing cash in the summer window in a manner that appears anything but coordinated.

The sheer size of the squad, combined with a series of baffling transfer decisions and an unclear hierarchy at the club, will present immediate challenges for the new manager.

While Chelsea have often thrived on chaos in the past, Alonso will need to bring order to a situation that, on the surface at least, looks set to test his coaching credentials from day one. Readers can catch up on related match highlights right here on our site.