Xabi Alonso is still messaging one Real Madrid player who is his 'dream signing' for Chelsea

Xabi Alonso is believed to be regularly in touch with one of his former Real Madrid players as he prepares to sign his first players for Chelsea.

After months of reports tipping him as Arne Slot's replacement as Liverpool manager, it was confirmed that Alonso had agreed to be Chelsea's manager, joining from July 1.

The Spanish manager has penned a four‑year contract at Stamford Bridge and is expected to have a much more hands-on and direct approach to managing the club than previous managers and head coaches.

With that in mind, many fans have wondered which players Alonso will target as his first signings since taking the job as Chelsea boss, with several player already linked.

Of course, given that he has arrived at Chelsea after managing Real Madrid until he was dismissed in January, many Chelsea fans have hope that Alonso may be able to convince some of the Spanish side's star players to make the move to London.

And it appears that there is one player that Alonso is dreaming of signing as it has been confirmed that he is still regularly messaging the highly-rated midfielder Arda Guler.

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Ahead of Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid, Guler was linked with a move away from the club as he struggled to get regular minute under previous administrations.

But, under Alonso, the Turkey international became in mainstay in the Real Madrid team, with him managing just just 24 starts in La Liga across his first two campaigns with Real but getting 25 league starts this season alone, even with an injury sidelining him at the end of the campaign.

Overall, Guler playing 2,090 minutes across 34 appearances in all competitions under Alonso, scoring four goals and assisting 10.

And it's clear that this show of confidence in the youngster helped the pair build a strong relationship, with the 21-year-old recently wishing him well at Chelsea while confirming he stays in regular touch with his former boss.

"The truth is that we had a brilliant relationship. I felt as though he’d handed me the keys," Guler told Turkish outlet TRT Spor.

"It was exactly what I was looking for, honestly. Now he’s signed for Chelsea. I hope everything goes well for him. Of course, we’re still messaging each other."

As it stands, Guler is currently valued at around €90million, but with his current contract with Real Madrid valid until the summer of 2029, it's almost certain that the La Liga side would demand a fee in excess of €115 million (£100m) to let the prized midfielder go.

Arda Guler explains what it's like to play under Xabi Alonso

When he arrives at Chelsea, Alonso is expected to implement several key changes to way the club is run, with the hope that his increased involvement will help the club regain a place in the Champions League in 2027/28.

During his interview, Guler further explained what it is like to play under the Spanish manager, admitting that it didn't take much for him to be convinced by his way of managing such a big club.

"After the match against Bayern Munich [in the Champions League quarter-finals], he told me he was very proud of me," added the youngster.

"I was really happy to see the message. I hope God smooths his path. I think he’s a great manager."

Explaining Alonso's tactics, he added: "When he calls you into his office and explains something about tactics, it’s very hard not to be convinced. He knows exactly what you’re capable of.

"He knows exactly what he can offer you. In other words, he [is] a man who, probably, [wakes] up every day thinking about how to improve a player, how to communicate with him.

“Before our first match, when I was in the starting 11, he told me that morning, ‘I want you to touch the ball more than everyone on your right.’ When you hear that, it doesn’t take much to be convinced."