3 Super Eagles Stars Xabi Alonso Can Sign for Chelsea to Challenge Arsenal for the EPL Title

Victor Ikpeba has backed the Super Falcons to remain the team to beat ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The ex-Africa Player of the Year said Nigeria’s pedigree and winning mentality give them an edge over rivals like South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia, stressing that the nine-time champions still know how to get the job done on the continental stage.

Daniel Momodu · May 19, 2026 · 15

Chelsea have officially confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year contract running until 2030, Soccernet.ng reports. As the 44-year-old Spanish tactician takes the reins at Stamford Bridge, his primary mandate will be closing the gap on dominant rivals like Arsenal and Manchester City.

To transform the Blues into immediate English Premier League title contenders, Alonso could look to leverage elite Nigerian talent. Analysts have identified three prominent Super Eagles stars who could perfectly fit his tactical blueprint and elevate Chelsea's competitive edge:

1. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

The 27-year-old marquee striker is currently in his prime and heavily primed for a Premier League challenge. Following a highly successful permanent stint in Türkiye with Galatasaray, where his prolific goalscoring and leadership traits have been on full display, Osimhen remains the ultimate plug-and-play solution for Chelsea’s long-standing clinical attacking deficiencies. His physical presence, explosive pace, and world-class finishing are precisely what the Blues need to unlock elite defensive lines.

2. Paul Onuachu (Southampton)

Standing at an imposing 1.98 meters, Onuachu offers a unique profile that Chelsea's current frontline heavily lacks: true aerial dominance. Valued at a modest ten million euros (€10m), the towering center-forward represents a highly cost-effective, tactical alternative. He could give Alonso a reliable "Plan B" option to break down stubborn low-blocks without requiring the club to break the bank.

3. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)

A reunion could be on the cards. Boniface was a crucial focal point of Alonso's historic, title-winning setup at Bayer Leverkusen. His elite hold-up play, clever spatial awareness, and ability to seamlessly create chances for his teammates make him intimately familiar with Alonso's tactical demands, offering an organic transition into the grueling intensity of English football.

With Arsenal and Manchester City consistently setting a remarkably high standard at the summit of the Premier League, Alonso's success in London may ultimately hinge on how swiftly the Chelsea hierarchy can back him in the transfer market and convert these targeted international profiles into reality.