Chelsea's head coach Xabi Alonso held an extensive press conference ahead of the 2026/27 season kick-off. The Spanish manager shared his expectations for the upcoming away match against Fulham, which is set for Monday.
"We feel ready. We've prepared throughout pre-season. The desire, ambitions, and hunger to start are already present in the building. Football is about mentality, competitiveness, and overcoming tough moments in the game. This is very important. Starting from Monday, it will be a glorious battle," Alonso said.
The coach also provided insight into Levi Colwill's physical condition, emphasising that the defender is taking his recovery at the right pace and is prepared to show his best.
"I would say that a full pre-season has allowed him to make the right steps at the right time. We don’t want to rush him too much because of what happened last year. Now, after pre-season, we expect him to play well, with confidence, and in the physical condition that will allow him to be at his best. For me, he is one of the best central defenders in the world," the manager stated.
Alonso also touched on the role of captain Reece James, along with the noticeable progress of Joao Pedro, highlighting the Brazilian's rapid development as a leader within the squad.
"James is versatile in his play. He needs to feel important—that's key. Not just because he is captain, but wherever he plays. He has the quality, football intelligence, experience, and is calm when dealing with the ball. We also talk a lot with Joao because he is not just an excellent player; he has a great character. His growth as a fantastic player and leader is evident in every game. He has that focus and desire to have a great season," Alonso added.
The Spaniard did not shy away from addressing Chelsea's absence from European competitions this season, viewing it as an opportunity to prepare better for domestic fixtures.
"We have more time to prepare for each game, that’s a fact. We need to use this time wisely. It’s not what we wanted, but we have what we have. Our ambitions consist of being as high as possible. Let’s see where we are in May. We need the hunger to succeed and create a good spirit," the coach noted.
Furthermore, Alonso shared details about his active involvement in training and clarified the situation regarding injured players.
"There’s no chance I’ll be in the starting lineup. I enjoy feeling this, being close to the players, and participating in training. Having that close influence on the players is essential. My main goal is to help them understand and ensure they know what to do. As for Welbeck, he may be involved. He needs a couple of days of not pushing too hard due to a minor issue. We expect him back on Saturday," the coach explained.
In conclusion, Chelsea's manager briefly commented on the players' condition post-World Cup, the choice of penalty takers, and his relationship with opposing coaches.
"You can have a relationship with Arbeloa, but once we step on the pitch, there are no friends or past ties. We fight for all 90 minutes. Players after the World Cup? We’ll see, we’ll check, we’ll evaluate. Certainly, due to the World Cup, they might need a bit more time. They can be options for the starting lineup. We’re managing the group dynamic well. We have various groups, and that hasn’t been an issue. Penalty takers? I don’t know what it was like last season, but yes, we have our own decisions," Alonso concluded.
