Garcia Hopes Alonso's Chelsea Finish Second to Liverpool Luis Garcia, the chief executive of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), expressed his hope that Xabi Alonso’s new club, Chelsea, will finish second to Liverpool in the Premier League next season. The two Spanish former Liverpool teammates, who played together from 2004 to 2007, are set to reunite during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Malaysia, where JDT will host the English giants at their 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. Garcia, who splits his time between Spain and Malaysia, emphasized the significance of the match for both JDT and Malaysian football. Garcia and Alonso, who signed for Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool on the same day in 2004, have maintained a strong friendship despite their careers diverging. Their bond was tested during their time at Liverpool, where they faced each other in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005. Garcia recalled their first meeting at Anfield, noting that Alonso surprised him with his fluency in English during a press conference. “He told me he didn’t speak English too well before our unveiling press conference,” Garcia said. “I answered the first question in Spanish, as we had a translator present, and he answered in perfect English and I thought: ‘Why you little?!’” The two Spaniards went on to represent Spain together, and their camaraderie has endured over the years. However, Garcia acknowledged the challenges Alonso faces as Chelsea’s new manager, particularly in their final overseas friendly against JDT. The match marks the culmination of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, which included games against elite European teams like Tottenham, Juventus, and AC Milan. Garcia praised the occasion as a monumental moment for JDT and Malaysian football, calling Chelsea the “biggest test” of the season.#premier_league #xabi_alonso #luis_garcia #johor_darul_ta_zim #sultan_ibrahim_stadium
