Soccer
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso demands team show ‘hunger’ for success
Xabi Alonso urged Chelsea to develop a “hunger” for victory and revealed he has spoken to midfielder Enzo Fernandez in his first press conference as Blues boss at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old also shared his views on the ongoing World Cup and his memories from his own involvement in Spain’s victory in 2010, as well as the club’s plans for their late-returning players from the global showpiece.
The former Real Madrid boss was more keen to discuss his philosophy rather than make any predictions about how Chelsea might fare in his first season in charge but insisted European qualification was among the targets.
“For sure that’s a goal,” he said. “But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things and to be part of that process, how do we want to play, how we want to see ourselves, how we want to approach a game wherever we go.
“That’s my job. That’s why I am really looking forward to having the whole squad. At the moment we have some bids, but early days so far.
“But for sure, we want to be there and time will tell. But we are ambitious and we in Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success.”
Alonso also insisted Chelsea were keen to hang onto Fernandez, whose future with the club has been in doubt this summer.
Earlier this month, Real Madrid denied holding an interest in signing the Chelsea midfielder, whose Argentina side will face England during Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final.
“Yes, we have spoken,” Alonso confirmed. “But as you can understand, what we have spoken about remains private. But yes, we have spoken.”
Asked if he would like Fernandez to remain at Stamford Bridge, Alonso replied: “Yes.”
Fernandez is one of four Chelsea players still involved in the World Cup alongside England duo Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah and France’s Malo Gusto.
Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso was reminded that Antonio Conte was the last Chelsea boss to lead a side to a Premier League trophy when he did so a decade ago in the 2016-17 season.
They have employed a carousel of bosses since, including just three and a half months in the dugout for Liam Rosenior, his predecessor as permanent Blues boss.
The Spaniard, who signed a four-year deal to join the west London club, danced around the subject when asked whether he was confident he will be given enough time to build a team that could challenge for the title.
However, he added: “What I am sure is that we have the ambition to want to win a lot of games, to be competitive.
“We need to take important decisions, we need to build strong principles and a strong mentality and culture in the club.
“Time will tell. I’m not going to say what will happen in May. For me, it’s absolutely too early to say that, but I am confident, I am optimistic that we can have a great season.”
