Xabi Alonso: Winning Away in the Premier League is Always Tough

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his satisfaction with the 3-2 victory in the London derby against Fulham, marking the start of the new Premier League season. The Spanish tactician described his team's performance as mature and professional, but emphasized that the squad is still very much a work in progress.

“I think this was a completely professional performance from our side. The match went through several distinct phases and dynamics. Winning away in the Premier League is always an extremely difficult task, but we were excellently prepared for this challenge. I am happy with what the lads showed; it’s a really good first day for us in the league,” Alonso began.

A special highlight in his statement was the performance of his attacking line, featuring João Pedro, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer, all three of whom found the back of the net.

“We saw great combinations and immense quality on the pitch. We know that if we can get the ball to João Pedro, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer in good positions, they possess the necessary talent to create something special. I am extremely happy that all three of our forwards managed to score today,” the Spaniard added.

The manager also paid significant attention to Chelsea's star player, Cole Palmer, who played a crucial role in securing the triumph.

“I truly enjoyed his performance. Cole played with immense responsibility and maturity, yet at the same time maintained complete freedom in his actions. It is extremely important for me to get the best out of him when he takes on this leadership role on the pitch. He perfectly understands where he needs to get involved in the game, and I am happy for him. If we want to have a strong team, we definitely need a great Cole Palmer,” the specialist asserted.

Finally, he commented on Chelsea's future steps, as well as the uncertain situation surrounding Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, who has been linked with a move away from the club: “All of this is still a developing process, there is no doubt about that. We need to continue working hard, analyze our mistakes, and improve, because every single match is an important lesson for us. As for Enzo Fernández’s future – nothing in football can surprise me anymore. We will see what happens. My personal wish is to quickly understand what awaits us in the future, but the situation will become completely clear within this week.”