Xabi Alonso has stressed that Chelsea are fully focused on the EFL Cup and are not underestimating their upcoming third-round tie against Leeds United.
In the previous cup match against Luton, Alonso put out a strong side, and when asked about his approach to the forthcoming encounter, he replied:
We always assess the whole situation: where we’ve come from and where we’re headed next. We strive to take every match and cup competition very seriously. Given our current situation, we’ll do our best to put out the strongest possible team.
With no European fixtures this season, Chelsea’s number of matches has decreased, but Alonso believes cup competitions are vital for rotating players and distributing game time:
We need all our players. The more individuals who are involved with the team and feel part of it by getting minutes on the pitch, the higher the overall level—especially for those who play more regularly.
I think it's important to involve everyone and give them that sense of belonging. Currently, the day-to-day atmosphere and dynamics within the squad are very positive.
Alonso also commented on the nature of the upcoming clash against Chelsea’s historic rivals:
Tomorrow, we expect a very, very intense match filled with battles. We need to handle that, find solutions, and recognise that we have an important game ahead of us.
