Xabi Alonso has made clear that his admiration for Florian Wirtz remains undiminished, with the Chelsea manager pointing to their time together at Bayer Leverkusen when asked about the Liverpool playmaker.
Wirtz has faced criticism during his time in England, with some observers questioning whether Liverpool should consider selling him next summer. However, his recent performances have prompted renewed discussion about his potential, while speculation has also linked him with a possible reunion with Alonso.
The Spaniard was careful not to fuel talk of a future transfer, but he spoke warmly about the player he coached in Germany.
“I can only speak about my time with Flo at Bayer Leverkusen and, without doubt, one of the main reasons I am here is the time I spent with him at Leverkusen. He is a special player, he helped me enormously, I learned a lot from him and now that he is at Liverpool, I follow him closely. We know the next step is always an interesting one, and he is getting there,” Alonso said.
The comments underline the regard in which Alonso holds Wirtz, although they do not amount to an indication that Chelsea are preparing a move for him.
Their partnership at Leverkusen helped establish Wirtz as one of Europe’s most highly rated attacking midfielders. Alonso’s side won the Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-24 season, with Wirtz central to the team’s attacking play.
Alonso has previously spoken about the importance of the players he worked with during his time in Germany, and his latest comments suggest that Wirtz remains a footballer whose development he continues to follow closely.
Liverpool signed Wirtz from Leverkusen in 2025 in a major transfer, with the expectation that he would become a leading creative force at Anfield. That investment has brought scrutiny, particularly when the team’s performances have fallen short of expectations.
The debate over his adaptation has not been limited to his individual contribution. The demands of a new league, the pressure attached to a high-profile transfer and the performance of the team around him have all formed part of the discussion about his start in England.
Alonso’s words leave the possibility of a future reunion open in the abstract, but he did not suggest that such a move is being pursued. His answer focused on his own experience working with Wirtz and the progress he believes the player is making at Liverpool.
That distinction matters as speculation grows around the German international. Praise from a former coach can easily be interpreted as transfer interest, particularly when the coach now leads another major Premier League club.
For now, Alonso has offered a public endorsement rather than a recruitment signal. Wirtz’s immediate task is to continue establishing himself at Liverpool, while Chelsea’s manager has made clear that the midfielder’s talent and their shared history at Leverkusen remain important to him.