Ex-refs chief: Xabi Alonso should bring Howard Webb in to fix 'major' Chelsea problem
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Credit: Imago Tue 26 May 2026 9:30, UK Xabi Alonso should welcome Howard Webb to Cobham Training Centre upon his arrival as Chelsea‘s new manager.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues must fix a growing epidemic if they are to be successful next season.It was no surprise to see Wesley Fofana shown his second red card of the 2025-26 Premier League season on Sunday, 24 May, picking up a second yellow card for hauling down Wilson Isidor in the final third.The incident marked the team’s eighth red card of the league season, as Chelsea fell to a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, with Liam Delap and Joao Pedro also sent off in other competitions in the same campaign. ⚽ Chelsea Matchday⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Chelsea fixture at Stamford Bridge. VISIT THE CHELSEA MATCH HUB Howard Webb to be welcomed to Cobham Training CentreSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee argued that the only way Alonso can fix the club’s problem is by inviting the current head of the PGMOL to Cobham for a review.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES To put it into context, the teams with the next-most red cards are Tottenham and Everton, with four each.“If I were Chelsea, I would get Howard Webb and an active referee into the club pre-season to discuss the major parts of around, not necessarily haranguing those players who have got red,” Hackett said.“But let’s have a look at the incident. Let’s have a look at the outcome, and you might have criticised the referee at the time, but this is the law, and he’s applying it.Chelsea playersPremier League red cardsWesley Fofana2Moises Caicedo1Marc Cucurella1Malo Gusto1Robert Sanchez1Trevoh Chalobah1Pedro Neto1“Xabi Alonso, as a player, was disciplined.
“You set those bands of, if you like, criteria in relation to what your expectation is, and you expect every member of the team from the tea lady upwards to follow suit.”Which players could be first out the door under Xabi Alonso?Having finished 10th in the Premier League this season, there is plenty of work to do, and Alonso should be given the chance to do that, with the team having missed out on Europe altogether.The main priority will be finding a new goalkeeper. Emmanuel Emegha could help, but it would be a surprise if Alonso were not to bring a big-name centre-forward to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. 🦁 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Chelsea Insider Access Get the full story from Stamford Bridge and Cobham with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from West London.