Chelsea kicks off fresh campaign with positive momentum, according to Alonso

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed optimism about the team's prospects on Monday, citing "good energy" at the club as he seeks to reverse its fortunes, but declined to define what would constitute a successful first season.

n

Alonso, who officially took the reins on July 1, is set to oversee his first competitive match against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney on Tuesday, a significant challenge as Chelsea aims to rebound from a disappointing 10th place finish last season and its failure to qualify for Europe.

n

The club's last Premier League title was won under Italian manager Antonio Conte a decade ago, and Alonso faces a daunting task in restoring Chelsea to prominence.

n

Despite the challenges, Alonso has made a series of pre-season signings, including Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, and has expressed enthusiasm about the team's potential, stating that "we want to build a competitive team" and that "we have great quality, great talent".

n

Alonso emphasized the need for a squad with a balance of quality and mentality to compete in the Premier League, and believes that the team is starting the new season with "good energy", which he considers crucial.

n

The former Liverpool and Spain midfielder earned recognition as one of Europe's top coaches after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season, although his subsequent stint as Real Madrid manager was shorter, lasting just seven months from his appointment last year to his departure in January.

n

Alonso is known for his association with a short passing game and his successful implementation of a 3-4-2-1 system at Leverkusen, but he has also demonstrated tactical pragmatism, which he plans to apply at Chelsea.

n

He intends to be flexible in his tactics and approaches, avoiding the imposition of a completely new system, instead opting to "update" and "develop" existing concepts, and has noted that many aspects of the team's existing approach align with his own preferences.

n

Given that several managers have failed to repeat Chelsea's Premier League title win since Alonso's predecessor, Antonio Conte, achieved it, the pressure is on Alonso to end the drought, but he has refrained from specifying what would constitute a successful season, stating that it is too early to discuss such goals.

n

Alonso, who signed a four-year contract, emphasized the need for hard work and development to achieve the team's objectives, and while he is cautious about setting specific targets, he is encouraged by the "good feeling" and "good energy" among the players, who are working hard to implement his vision.