Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso is determined to return the club to European competition next season, despite the physical demands of competing on several fronts.
Chelsea have had a full seven days to prepare for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Sunderland. With no European fixtures, the Spanish coach has had a rare opportunity to work with his squad at the club’s Cobham training ground.
But Alonso stressed that he is not content with the lighter schedule and that returning to European competition remains the main objective:
Our aim, our desire and our hunger is to have busy weeks, to cope with a schedule of three matches in seven days and to see each other much more often. We want to play in Europe, play at great stadiums and compete against the best European teams. But to get there, we have to earn that right.
Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League after the opening nine matches, with 16 points.
