Chelsea's managerial merry-go-round continues, and former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has sounded a note of caution about their top target. The Blues are on the hunt for yet another head coach after parting ways with Liam Rosenior last month—making him the second manager to leave Stamford Bridge this season following Enzo Maresca's January exit. With the club aiming to have a new boss in place before the World Cup kicks off next month, a shortlist of five or six candidates has been drawn up.

Xabi Alonso leads the pack as the preferred choice, with Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola also in strong contention. Chelsea have reportedly conducted checks on Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, and Filipe Luis as well. Positive initial conversations with Alonso have taken place, and the Spaniard is said to be open to managing in the Premier League. Landing the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder would be a real coup for the Blues—but Hasselbaink sees a potential sticking point.

"I don't think he did that badly at Real Madrid," Hasselbaink told Sky Sports News. "The problem is he wants to manage how he wants to manage and he feels that the players have to follow him. Stars are a little bit different; you need the support of the club. If Chelsea chooses him, you have to give him the keys. I've always said that whoever you choose, you have to give them the keys and the players need to know that he is the decision-maker."

This isn't just about Alonso's tactical nous—it's about authority. In a squad full of high-profile talent, the next manager will need full backing from the board to command respect in the dressing room. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also prioritizing a starting-level center back this summer, with Como's Jacobo Ramon emerging as a target. As the Blues navigate another transition, the question remains: will they give Alonso the control he demands?