Xabi Alonso says Chelsea needed “an update” rather than a complete overhaul when he was appointed manager this summer.
The 44-year-old signed a four-year contract in May and took over a Blues side that finished 10th in the Premier League after parting ways with Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during a turbulent campaign at Stamford Bridge.
It meant missing out on European football for the third time in four seasons.
“Not a reset – it was an update, I would say. To change or make decisions in a different direction,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
“My main concern is the team, the team, the players we have, at which stage of their career they are, at what moments we want to bring them, what we have, what we can improve.
“Those were, for me, the important decisions, the important things to analyze before we came here. Once we agreed that we wanted to take a direction, it was decision making.
“We took some of them, others will have to be taken, but we are confident with all of them.
“Now it’s competition time. It’s not about getting better, now it’s with the team that we have to work hard, get better, knowing that we have to learn from mistakes, even from good things, and we’re at that moment.”
Alonso has taken the lead for six games in all competitions so far; two wins, a draw and a loss in the league and two wins from two in the Carabao Cup.
Friday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m
Departure at 20:00
His Chelsea side then make the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford in a west London derby on Friday night, which is live on Sky Sports.
“If I look for perfection, I will always be frustrated,” he said.
“What I’m looking for is to achieve a good level, good continuity, good solidity; to be a team that knows what it’s going to do and to have that belief and that belief every time you face an opponent.
“We’re in the process. We’ll get there when some processes are faster or longer, but we’re working to get that feeling and when you see us going on the field, we have the confidence that we know what we’re going to do.
The first few days are just for games and I’m not that focused on other teams. I’m very focused on my team and all my players and the development we’re going to do, the process and the improvement we have to do.
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Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso discusses ownership changes at the club after Todd Boehly sold his minority stake to Clearlake Capital and stepped down as chairman.
“We have to learn quickly because the competition is fierce in the Premier League and I’m sure Chelsea on the first day and Chelsea on the last day in the Premier League will be different and I’m sure it will be better. It will get better and better week by week and game by game.”
Asked when people only need his team, he added: “It’s not for me to answer.
“I prefer not to ask people for things, I prefer to do things.
“And knowing this, I am aware that everything takes time in football, but time will tell.”
Alonso: Joao Pedro can play for Chelsea vs Brentford
Alonso has said that Joao Pedro can play against Brentford Friday Night Football – despite being withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to injury.
it was announced on Wednesday night that Pedro has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad – raising concerns about his fitness levels as Chelsea look to get back to winning ways.
“In terms of injuries and the squad, we are doing the last training (on Friday),” Alonso said.
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Thierry Henry analyzes Joao Pedro’s role in the Chelsea team this season and explains how he is vital to their system and success.
“No one is excluded. I remain cautious and we wait. We will see (Friday) if he is ready to play. We will make a decision.”
Asked what he might say about Pedro’s injury problems, Alonso simply replied: “No.”
Asked if he could play against Brentford on Friday but then not play for Brazil, Alonso said: “It’s a possibility.”
Asked afterwards if Pedro is disappointed to be missing from Brazil, especially given that he was not selected for the World Cup, Alonso replied: “He’s over the summer, he’s over the World Cup.
“He’s shown that desire, that determination to have a great season so far. The summer is away now.
“He will be (in the Brazil squad) in the future. I am very sure he will be.”
