To build a competitive team, Xabi Alonso urged his players to be prepared to give everything.

In an interview, Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso said that in order for the team to be more competitive in the new Premier League season, the players must be prepared to make sacrifices and give their all.

Xabi Alonso, 44, was appointed Chelsea's new manager in May and signed a four-year contract. In addition, Alonso's managerial career includes leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, as well as winning the German Cup and the German Super Cup.

In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Chelsea finished only 10th after a tough challenge, missing out on European competitions. Therefore, Xabi Alonso's primary task at this stage is to improve the players' teamwork and overall competitiveness.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said, "Our goal is to build a competitive team, and we are in that process right now. The team has very good ability and talent, but we must really understand what kind of effort is required to compete in the Premier League. We hope to have a successful season and want to achieve the highest possible league ranking based on our performance."

"Therefore, we must continue to work hard to improve the team, and our new players and new coach have brought entirely new ideas. Sometimes the team needs more time to gel, and sometimes it can work very quickly. But we are ready to implement our plans step by step. So far, everything is moving in a positive direction."

Xabi Alonso pointed out, "We must remain competitive, have plenty of energy, and keep running and working hard. We must make the necessary sacrifices in every game of the Premier League; it is necessary and unavoidable."

“Winning every game is no easy feat, so we must prepare in advance, and now is the perfect time to do that.”

In addition, Chelsea will play a friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, followed by matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and AC Milan.

Xabi Alonso stated, "Our tactics, style of play, and plans will remain flexible. We have our own football principles, and our goals will not change. However, we will continue to experiment with different tactics."

"The Chelsea team that starts the new season in August will not be the Chelsea team that ends the season next May. I believe that by next May, we will be stronger than we were on the first day."

Image source: Internet