I saw the game from last year, you learn everything and it is going to be a big test for us.
« I saw the game from last year, you learn everything and it is going to be a big test for us." »
They do [set pieces, long throws and fast transitions] very well
« On Brentford: "They do [set pieces, long throws and fast transitions] very well but not just that." »
Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo is "getting closer" to fitness.
« Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo is "getting closer" to fitness. »
That is why we are here. To work to get into that position... the ambition for that is very clear.
« On his confidence in Chelsea to compete for trophies: "That is why we are here. To work to get into that position, knowing that the competition that we have but for sure the ambition of the club, the potential of the club, the dimensions of the players, of where we are. We know where we want to be. We know everything takes time but the ambition for that is very clear." »
I have a very good relationship with Behdad [Eghbali]
« I have a very good relationship with Behdad [Eghbali]; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me and we are working well together." »
I think it is an important day for the club. Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role.
« On the ownership news announced on Wednesday, Alonso said: "I think it is an important day for the club. Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role." »
Rogers supplied four assists
« Palmer delivered two goals, Rogers supplied four assists »
Palmer delivered two goals, Rogers supplied four assists
« Palmer delivered two goals, Rogers supplied four assists »
Alonso corrected it at the break, sending on Reece James for authority and introducing Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who changed the game completely.
« Alonso corrected it at the break, sending on Reece James for authority and introducing Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who changed the game completely. »
Leeds took advantage.
« Leeds took advantage. »
Chelsea went 2-0 down
« Chelsea went 2-0 down »
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Leeds exposed the risks of overcomplicating things.
« Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Leeds exposed the risks of overcomplicating things. »
Emegha remains sidelined after a hamstring niggle picked up in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against Bromley.
« Emegha remains sidelined after a hamstring niggle picked up in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against Bromley. »
Henderson is recovering from a broken wrist
« Henderson is recovering from a broken wrist »
Palestra has been edging back after a training injury suffered on the eve of the campaign.
« Palestra has been edging back after a training injury suffered on the eve of the campaign. »
Summer arrivals Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are all still waiting for their competitive debuts.
« Summer arrivals Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are all still waiting for their competitive debuts. »
Xabi Alonso offered no spin and no false deadlines, saying: “Let’s see for Brentford [next week],” when asked about Caicedo’s chances.
« Xabi Alonso offered no spin and no false deadlines, saying: “Let’s see for Brentford [next week],” when asked about Caicedo’s chances. »
The Ecuador international only recently returned from a calf problem against Brighton
« The Ecuador international only recently returned from a calf problem against Brighton »
Moises Caicedo is unavailable again.
« Moises Caicedo is unavailable again. »
Xabi Alonso shares Moises Caicedo injury update ahead of Hull City clash
« Xabi Alonso shares Moises Caicedo injury update ahead of Hull City clash »
We talked and we decided it was better not to be part of the squad.
« In Alonso’s own words, “We talked and we decided it was better not to be part of the squad. He is a top player.” »
We need the players that are in the best situation to play. We need to take everything into consideration – players that are in a good moment, players that are not feeling that energy to play.
« His message was pointed and revealing. “We need the players that are in the best situation to play. We need to take everything into consideration – players that are in a good moment, players that are not feeling that energy to play.” »
Xabi Alonso’s decision to leave the midfielder out against Luton
« Xabi Alonso’s decision to leave the midfielder out against Luton was always going to invite scrutiny »
In the winter of 2025, Alonso told CBS Sports that he wanted his team to slow down, to make more passes in the opposition half so that when possession went astray it could immediately be recovered.
« In the winter of 2025, Alonso told CBS Sports that he wanted his team to slow down, to make more passes in the opposition half so that when possession went astray it could immediately be recovered. »
Alonso used the word "control" on four occasions.
« In his post-match press conference after Monday's visit to Craven Cottage, Alonso used the word "control" on four occasions. »
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder was in many ways the embodiment of tiki-taka... and yet it is a label that he himself rejects.
« The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder was in many ways the embodiment of tiki-taka, the man who broke up the great Barcelona midfield on the international stage so that Spain could apply more control, and yet it is a label that he himself rejects. »
Enzo is a Chelsea player. We are happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday.
« Asked whether Fernandez would remain at Stamford Bridge after the window closes on 1 September, he said: “Enzo is a Chelsea player. We are happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday.” »
Xabi Alonso appears to have settled on the back-three formation
« Xabi Alonso appears to have settled on the back-three formation that served him well at Bayer Leverkusen »
Alonso said: "No decision has been made."
« Alonso said: "No decision has been made." »
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said: "Yes, he could play. Maybe [to play] 90 minutes it's too early, but he can be selected. He's selected, so he can play."
« New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said: "Yes, he could play. Maybe [to play] 90 minutes it's too early, but he can be selected. He's selected, so he can play." »
Alonso said... "We need to know that there will probably still be some movement,"
« "We need to know that there will probably still be some movement," Alonso added. »
Alonso said of the pair... "I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well"
« "I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well," Alonso said of the pair. »
Alonso insisted he will be ready... and believes he will be compatible with fellow England international Palmer
« Alonso insisted he will be ready, despite not yet taking part in pre-season training, and believes he will be compatible with fellow England international Palmer. »
Alonso said... "In that position we needed an important player and I'm sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers"
« "In that position we needed an important player and I'm sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers," Alonso said. »
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he has a "plan" to play club record £117m signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer
« Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he has a "plan" to play club record £117m signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer »