Lack of European football an advantage for Chelsea –Alonso
Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso has revealed that the lack of European football can be an advantage for the team ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The Blues will take on Fulham on Monday in their first Premier League game of the season after they finished 10th last season.
Chelsea had an unforgettable season to miss out on European football qualification after Enzo Maresca left in January and Liam Rosenior replaced him.
Under Rosenior, they went on a five-match losing run without scoring which affected their chances of qualifying for any European competition.
Alonso, who was appointed in May to oversee another rebuild at Stamford Bridge is confident that the lack of European football can be an advantage.
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He said: “We have more time to prepare each game, that is a fact. We need to use the time in the right way. It’s not what we wanted but it is what it is.
“We feel ready. We have prepared the whole pre-season. The desire, ambition and hunger to start is already in the building. The ambition is to be as high as possible. Let’s see where we are in May. We need the hunger to do well and create a good spirit.
The Spanish manager also provided an update on Enzo Fernandez’s future while praising João Pedro.
Alonso said: “Enzo is a Chelsea player. He’s a top, top player. He’s training really well. We are happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday.
“We talk a lot with Joao because he is not just a great player. He has a great personality. His development as a great player and as a leader is very noticeable in each game. He has this focus and desire to have a great season.”
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“Welbeck can be involved, he just needed a couple of days not training that much because of a little thing,’ the Spaniard explained at his media briefing.
“We expect him to be back [training] on Saturday. We need to go day by day, but that is the plan at the moment.
“With the other players, let’s see. We will check and assess them, but for sure because of the World Cup they came back a little bit later and will need a little more time. But they are all available and can be selected in the line-up against Fulham, for sure.”
Chelsea fans will be hoping that Alonso can bring stability to the club following a chaotic last season.
The Blues have brought in the likes of Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Valentín Barco, Emmanuel Emegha, and Danny Welbeck this summer.
