Xabi Alonso: The Squad Has Good Balance, We Are Ready for the Start

Chelsea's new manager, Xabi Alonso, is set to make his debut on Monday as the Blues visit Fulham for their Premier League opener. The Spaniard addressed current team affairs, stating his squad is ready for the season's start and expressing satisfaction with the players at his disposal.

"We feel ready for the new season. Throughout pre-season, there were players coming and going, but the desire, ambition, and hunger for the Premier League kick-off are now palpable in every training session," Alonso commented.

Regarding squad selection, he added: "I am very happy with the squad I have. I believe we made many correct decisions. We have a good balance in terms of quality, character, and experience. I would say we are in a good position."

Alonso refrained from commenting on Enzo Fernandez's future, despite being asked twice, simply stating: "Enzo is a Chelsea player. He is a top, top player. He has trained very well since joining the squad 10 days ago. We are very pleased with him."

On the challenge ahead and the team's ambitions, the specialist remarked: "It's a challenge for everyone. The most important thing for me is that we pursue our goals together. We have the ambition to have a great season. There's no need to think about what will happen at the end of the season. What we control is how we start the season, how we prepare for matches. Right now, our focus is on Fulham. We will improve with every game. It's a process, but we feel we can start well, and that's important."

Alonso acknowledged that Chelsea might benefit from not competing in European tournaments: "We will have more time to prepare for each match. That's a fact. But we will have to prove that we use this time effectively. Of course, we would prefer to be playing in European competitions."