Alonso says Chelsea needed an update, not a reset, upon his arrival

Xabi Alonso has stated that Chelsea required "an update" rather than a full reset when he took over as manager this summer. The 44-year-old signed a four-year contract in May, stepping in after the club's disappointing 10th place finish in the Premier League. This outcome marked the third time in four seasons that Chelsea missed out on European football, prompting a managerial change following the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

In an interview, Alonso emphasised his focus on assessing the current squad and determining the players' career stages. He highlighted the importance of making informed decisions to guide the team in a new direction. Alonso expressed confidence in the choices made so far and acknowledged that further decisions would be necessary as the season progresses. He is committed to improving the squad's performance and learning from both successes and failures.

Alonso's early tenure has seen Chelsea compete in six matches across all competitions, achieving two wins, one draw, and a defeat in the league, alongside two victories in the Carabao Cup. The manager is now preparing for a west London derby against Brentford, aiming to build momentum and confidence within the team. He stressed the need for continuity and solidity as they work towards establishing a clear identity on the pitch.

Regarding the fitness of Joao Pedro, who withdrew from the Brazil squad due to injury, Alonso stated that no players are ruled out ahead of the Brentford match. He remains cautious about Pedro's condition and will make a decision after the final training session. Alonso acknowledged Pedro's desire to succeed this season, indicating that the player is focused on his performance rather than past disappointments.

via Sky Sports