Chelsea are reportedly “unlikely” to sack Xabi Alonso even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

The 44-year-old was appointed as the first Chelsea ‘manager’ since Jose Mourinho in 2013 and he was handed significant power in the transfer market this summer as the club’s BlueCo owners looked to rectify the plethora of mistakes made under their reign.

Alonso’s tenure began with back-to-back Premier League wins over Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion in August, however Chelsea’s form has stuttered ever since and they are now fifth in the English top flight table, 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal after just 10 fixtures.

With two losses in their last three Premier League matches, pressure is already beginning to mount on Alonso and with Chelsea closer to Crystal Palace in 20th than Arsenal in first, speculation has suggested that his job is not entirely safe.

However, Chelsea are expected to retain faith in the Spaniard, according to Football.London.

It’s reported that sacking Alonso is seen as “very unlikely,” with the club instead viewing this period as “the very start of the Alonso era.”

The club were interested in the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Andoni Iraola before appointing Alonso over the summer, but the former opted to remain at Como, while the latter eventually joined Liverpool as their replacement for Arne Slot.

Chelsea’s January transfer plans revealed

With a sacking not currently planned, Alonso will once again play a key role in Chelsea’s transfer business during the upcoming winter window, with the club expected to be fairly active in the market after missing out on a new central midfielder on Deadline Day this summer.

It’s understood that Bournemouth star Alex Scott is their top target for January, having identified the England international as their preferred replacement for the departed Enzo Fernandez, although they have also been linked with Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi in recent days.

The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta this season and Chelsea are one of three European giants keeping tabs on his situation, alongside Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

In regards to possible outgoings, Malo Gusto appears to be the most likely player to depart Stamford Bridge in January, with the France defender unsatisfied with his current role under Alonso.