Xabi Alonso Sends First Message to Chelsea Fans Ahead of New Season

• New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says there is “good energy” around the squad as he begins his reign at Stamford Bridge.

• The Spaniard, who officially took charge this month, says he is focused on rebuilding Chelsea but has refused to set a specific target for his first season.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says the club is beginning the new season with “good energy” as he looks to rebuild the Blues following a disappointing Premier League campaign.

The former Liverpool and Spain midfielder officially assumed duty on July 1 and will take charge of his first competitive match on Tuesday when Chelsea face Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney.

Alonso inherits a Chelsea side that finished 10th in the Premier League last season, missing out on European football and extending the club’s wait for another league title, which they last won under Antonio Conte in 2017.

Despite the challenge ahead, the Spaniard expressed confidence in the quality and attitude of his squad.

“We want to build a competitive team. We are in that process. We have great quality, great talent,” Alonso said.

He stressed that Chelsea’s focus is on developing a squad capable of competing consistently in the Premier League.

“We need to know what it takes to compete in the Premier League, and we want to have a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality. But I think that we are starting the new season with good energy, that’s going to be important,” he added.

Chelsea have strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with Morgan Rogers among the club’s notable new arrivals as Alonso begins reshaping the team.

The 44-year-old coach, who guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double during the 2023/24 season, said he intends to introduce fresh tactical ideas without completely overhauling the team’s style.

“We will be flexible in our tactics, in our approaches, game plans,” he explained.

“It’s not that I’m changing everything. It’s about updating. It’s about developing something that they have done with new concepts that each manager has.”

Alonso also admitted it was too early to define what would constitute a successful first season at Stamford Bridge.

“I don’t want to talk too early about what our goal is. We want to be as high as possible, and for that we need to work hard,” he said.

He added that while rebuilding the squad may take time, he has been encouraged by the players’ commitment since taking over.

“So far, a good feeling, good energy. The players are working hard, and that’s what we want.”

Chelsea fans will now hope Alonso can end the club’s decade-long wait for another Premier League title and restore the Blues to competing for major honours.