Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso makes World Cup prediction: ‘They look really great’

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has backed Spain to win the World Cup ahead of their mouth-watering semi-final against favourites France.

European champions Spain will have to get past the standout team at the World Cup in France to reach a first final since 2010.

Luis de la Fuente’s side, who beat England in the Euro 2024 final, underwhelmed in the group stages, being held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their World Cup opener.

But Spain cruised past Austria in the round-of-32 before knocking fierce rivals Portugal out in the quarter-finals.

Their quarter-final against Belgium looked set for extra-time and possibly penalties before Arsenal’s Mikel Merino scored a late winner to send Spain through to the semis.

France have not only won all six of their World Cup games but done so while scoring 16 goals and conceding just twice.

That form has established Didier Deschamps’ team as the favourites to not only reach a third successive World Cup final but lift the trophy for the second time since 2018.

But World Cup winner Alonso believes ‘really strong team’ Spain have ‘many reasons to be optimistic’ ahead of their clash with France and insists he ‘can see’ his compatriots lifting the trophy.

‘Actually seeing all the Spain games, it brings me a lot of memories from the World Cup that we won,’ the Spain legend said at his Chelsea unveiling.

‘Because of the team, because of the energy that they transmit, because of the control they have on the games.

‘We have many reasons to be optimistic for sure. Whatever will happen with France, it is going to be a fantastic game to watch, so really looking forward to it.

‘They have a great team and I can see them winning this World Cup for sure. They play really good and they have a really strong team.’

Several members of Alonso’s Chelsea squad, such as England’s Reece James and Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, are still at the World Cup.

Asked how the inflated World Cup has impacted his plans and preparation for his first season at Chelsea, Alonso said: ‘It was already in the plan, so it is not a big surprise that at this stage we still have some players.

‘I am happy for them because what they are living is an unforgettable experience.

‘Hopefully at the end we will have a world champion when they come back to Cobham and we will celebrate that.

‘But we adapt, we have to be flexible in that situation and we will have to speed it up in preparation with some players, but it is going to happen.’

In the second World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, defending champions Argentina take on England.

Argentina have survived several scares on their way to the semis, being taken to extra-time by Cape Verde before finding themselves 2-0 down to Egypt.

Euro 2024 runners-up England clinched an impressive win over co-hosts Mexico in the last-16 before a cagey extra-time victory against Norway in the quarter-finals.

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