Xabi Alonso is planning intensive preparation for the season with Chelsea

Xabi Alonso is planning intensive preparation for the season with Chelsea

According to Bbc.

Background

Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid coach, has accepted the challenge of leading Chelsea back to their former strength. His approach to improving physicality and team play could be crucial to improving the team's performance in the Premier League and winning back fans.

Why this is important

Xabi Alonso's intensive preparation at Chelsea is crucial for the season as the team urgently needs to work on their physicality and team dynamics after a disappointing 10th place finish in the Premier League. Its positive message and focus on 'soul, purpose and good energy' could help boost players' confidence and form a new identity. The way Alonso prepares the team for the challenges ahead will have a significant impact on the season.

Key findings

• Xabi Alonso is planning intensive preparation for the season with Chelsea.
• Xabi Alonso's first week at Chelsea was characterized by intensive training sessions and a focus on the fitness of the players.
• Xabi Alonso remains central to Chelsea's plans.

Xabi Alonso's start to pre-season has been described as more of a blueprint from Mauricio Pochettino than inspired by Enzo Maresca. The 44-year-old focused his early days in charge on improving the physicality of his players after Chelsea were overrun by opponents in almost all of their Premier League games last season - with only one game failing to do so. Alonso's message to the players was entirely positive. While the former Real Madrid coach didn't want to dwell too much on last season's shortcomings, his demeanor at the Cobham training center suggests he was keeping a close eye on last season. "Soul, purpose and good energy" were some of the key messages highlighted by Alonso in his first internal interview. Although he praised the core of the team, he made it clear that Chelsea had to do a lot right, both in training and in the transfer market, in order to qualify for a European place again. These statements suggest he recognized what had been missing in a season that ended for Chelsea in 10th place in the Premier League — in which both the first-team coach and the interim coach for the final six games of the season were unable to lead the team. It is still unclear when exactly the picture of Alonso's work will become more concrete. On Chelsea face Fulham on the first matchday of the new season. There Alvaro Arbeloa, who is known as Alonso's former teammate at Real Madrid, will meet Chelsea as coach. It remains to be seen whether Alonso's style of play can be seen in the game. Alonso is currently still settling in in London. The city itself was a big draw for him and his family, which includes his wife Nagore Aranburu and their teenage children. The Alonsos are interested in culture, film and music. They stayed in Spain until the day before the team's first training session. However, on that day Alonso was already working in London and took care of the transfers. As he requested, the club's officials have signed a number of players in recent weeks, including Marc Cucurella, who previously played under Pochettino at Brighton. Alonso had a conversation with Cucurella to present his concept for the team. He also had such a conversation with Enzo Fernandez, another key player. He also contacted possible newcomers such as the new right-back Palestra to explain his concept to them. Last Thursday, Alonso summoned the players to the training center for an intensive day of training. On that day, however, he also had to familiarize himself with his new office, fulfill internal media obligations and then that e Lead training. The training sessions so far have consisted of physical tests, gymnastics, small practice games, goal-scoring exercises as well as single and double training sessions. Some young players such as Reggie Walsh, Landon Emenalo, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Calvin Diakite also took part in the sessions, which created additional excitement in the training group. The newly signed players Dastan Satpaev, who will only be officially allowed to join Chelsea on his 18th birthday in August, Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda also took part in the training sessions. In addition, the loan players Nicolas Jackson and Aaron Anselmino who were brought back are currently being evaluated in training. In the physical tests conducted on Monday, Reggie Walsh won the bleep test. He was followed by Cole Palmer, who was unable to play much last season due to injuries, and the 17-year-old Estevao Willian. On Palmer, Alonso said: "He wants to be fit. He wants to put the injury problems from last season behind him. He is an exceptional player and if he is having fun and is in good shape he will help us a lot." On Willian he said: "We want to be careful with him. He's feeling better so far and he's a very talented player." Alonso's coaching team is very specialized. Ismael Camenforte Lopez, who is known in Germany as the “Ball Buter”, ensures that the balls always go into the spit during the exercises el be brought so that the intensity of the units remains high. Lopez will play an important role, particularly in the first phase of preparation, which is characterized by increased training enthusiasm. Alberto Encinas, who is Alonso's assistant coach, specializes in the players' technical development. Sebastian "Sebas" Parrilla is Alonso's closest confidant and the most experienced coach on the staff. Benat Labaien combines tasks as a trainer and as a video analyst and also uses modern technology such as drones. Alonso himself is very active in training and is described by his players as someone who could almost still play on the pitch. The next few weeks are already scheduled. There are two internal friendly games against Crawley Town and Bromley next Saturday. The team will then fly on an overseas trip that will take them to Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Malaysia. There the team meets club teams as well as Juventus.

What happens next

The coming weeks will be crucial to see how Alonso's strategies are implemented in practice. Secret friendlies could be used to test fitness and team chemistry before the Premier League season begins. The players must adapt quickly to the new demands in order to meet the coach's expectations and qualify for a European place.

Frequently asked questions

How did Chelsea i n cut off last season?

Chelsea finished last season in 10th place in the Premier League.

When does Chelsea play Fulham?

Chelsea meets Fulham on the first matchday of the new season.

What are Xabi Alonso's main goals for Chelsea?

Xabi Alonso wants to improve the physicality of the players and help Chelsea qualify for a European place again.

How has Chelsea prepared for the new season?

The preparation focused on improving the players' physicality and creating a positive team atmosphere.

What role does Alvaro Arbeloa play in the game against Chelsea?

Alvaro Arbeloa is the coach of Fulham and a former teammate of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.

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