Xabi Alonso has urged Chelsea not to draw conclusions from their current position in the Premier League top four. Ahead of the trip to Sunderland, the Spaniard stressed that his team should focus on further progress and a run of wins rather than the table.
Chelsea are currently in the top four. Are you heading where you want to be?
The table doesn't mean that much right now because everything can change so much in just one week.
In two games, you can find yourself fourth.
But I think we are taking a step forward.
We are getting better with the ball, without the ball, and becoming more solid.
Now we face a very tough opponent away from home — Sunderland.
We understand what it will take to win there.
We know how demanding the match will be.
The table doesn't matter here.
I think Sunderland deserve more points than they have.
It will be a very difficult away game.
Sunderland qualified for the Europa League and Chelsea didn't. Looking at the table now, do you think that result is even more painful in the long term?
I haven't thought much about it.
I remember watching that match because it had a direct impact on the following season.
We are where we are now.
We are fully focused on the Premier League.
They, of course, have the Europa League.
But, as I said, it's still too early to talk much about the table.
We need to keep winning, winning and winning.
We need to build a mentality where we take it game by game.
Is there anything special about the way Sunderland are playing now?
No.
I've analysed their game.
They have a different system and, of course, they have to take their own characteristics into account.
But we expect a tough match.
On Sunday, we face a team who do a lot of things well.
They probably should have more points.
So it certainly won't be easy.
