July 10Jul 10 Author 9 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:It's quite incredible how they continue to get everything so badly wrong LOL.BlueCo in damage control after the "positive feedback".Xabi Alonso’s first interview available to all
July 10Jul 10 3 hours ago, Scott said:Rocking the old school Adidas, I approve.Alonso looks in better shape than Eden Hazard ever was on the first day of pre-season training. Are we sure he can't do player-manager to save us a few $$$$?
July 10Jul 10 6 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:As someone who lives there, I can't deny this, but you would be surprised at how much things have changed since you were last on these shores. Homebush is actually far more notorious for all of the above these days, than the yuppy-central that is modern multicultural Parramatta. You're more likely to be accosted by a stray samosa than a drug dealer these days.Up the Eels....theyre my NRL team.
July 10Jul 10 7 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:As someone who lives there, I can't deny this, but you would be surprised at how much things have changed since you were last on these shores. Homebush is actually far more notorious for all of the above these days, than the yuppy-central that is modern multicultural Parramatta. You're more likely to be accosted by a stray samosa than a drug dealer these days.You mean things can change in over 20 years? Dang. Means I'll have to develop a whole new set of prejudices and stereotypes.I never actually worked out where Homebush was.
Monday at 13:215 days Author First press conference will be on at 3pm local time today.Watch Xabi Alonso's first press conference live!
Monday at 14:195 days Some important quotes from his presser. Surely he's not fed up with the directors already.
Monday at 23:035 days On 10/07/2026 at 17:06, dkw said:Up the Eels....theyre my NRL team.Whenever Parramatta win the league i'll send you a jersey...of course we'll be long dead by then
Tuesday at 07:074 days 8 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:Whenever Parramatta win the league i'll send you a jersey...of course we'll be long dead by thenIn that case I`ll give you the deeds to my house, my car and also all rights to my future bloodline....As Parra as champions is never ever going to happen 😂
Tuesday at 14:174 days James confirmed the captain.Think the biggest question is who is vice, because I'll be damned if it's the player who tried to force his way out.
Tuesday at 14:354 days 18 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:James confirmed the captain.Think the biggest question is who is vice, because I'll be damned if it's the player who tried to force his way out.Colwill maybe?
Tuesday at 14:474 days Interesting one because if, as has been widely reported, if they are looking for mentality monsters, PL proven, you would think that these would be captain or vice captain material
Tuesday at 15:344 days I'd probably switch them round and make COlwill captain. Reece doesn't seem vocal enough on the pitch.
Tuesday at 18:354 days On 10/07/2026 at 05:04, Scott said:Rocking the old school Adidas, I approve.We have a proper baller as manager again since Frank was in charge. Love It!!
Wednesday at 03:493 days Author Good article outlining Alonso's first week at the club and what we've been doing at training.BBC SportInside Xabi Alonso's first week at Chelsea with secret fr...Chelsea's entire pre-season is already mapped out by new boss Xabi Alonso, keen to make an early impact on his players before the season begins.
Wednesday at 04:403 days Secret friendlies and promoting youngsters - Alonso's first week at ChelseaIMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGESImage caption,Xabi Alonso agreed a four-year deal to join Chelsea in MayByNizaar KinsellaFootball reporterPublished14 July 202633 CommentsXabi Alonso's start to pre-season has been likened to more of a Mauricio Pochettino blueprint than an Enzo Maresca one.The 44-year-old has focused on improving the physicality of his squad in the early stages of his reign after Chelsea were outrun by their opponents in all but one of their Premier League matches last season.Alonso's message to the players has been positive. While the former Real Madrid manager has been keen not to dwell on last season's shortcomings, his coaching at Cobham suggests he has been paying close attention to them."Soul, purpose and good energy" were among the key messages Alonso highlighted in his first in-house interview.Although he praised the core of his squad, he said Chelsea would have to get a lot right on both the training pitch and in the transfer market to qualify for Europe again.His comments suggest he has identified what was missing in a campaign in which Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League after two permanent managers departed and the season ended under the stewardship of a caretaker boss for the final six matches.While clues about the future have been spotted in his first few days, the real picture won't emerge until he faces his former team-mate and Real Madrid managerial successor Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League season in late August.Youngsters get chance to impress AlonsoIMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGESImage caption,Estevao Willian is back in pre-season training having been injured at the end of last season and not being fit enough to be selected for Brazil at the World CupAlonso and his wife, Nagore Aranburu, are in the process of finding a permanent home in London. The city itself was a major attraction for the couple, who are interested in culture, film and music and have teenage children.They remained in Spain until the day before the first training session. During that time, Alonso worked remotely on transfer business with Chelsea's five-strong sporting director team, with whom he appears to have quickly built a positive relationship.It was from Spain that Alonso spoke to Marc Cucurella before his move to Real Madrid, called Enzo Fernandez to discuss his future and contacted transfer targets, including new full-back Marco Palestra, to outline his project.Alonso said he wants Fernandez to stay during his first media conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday.In addition, he had a fact-finding mission, first revealed by BBC Sport, in which Alonso and his staff visited Cobham in June, before their contracts began, to meet personnel and determine how they would fit into the club's structure.Last Thursday, Alonso had the players in for a full day but also had to settle into his new office, undertake in-house media duties and then take charge of his first training session.Training has included physical testing, gym work, small-sided games, finishing drills and a mixture of single and double sessions.Several younger players have been involved, including midfielders Reggie Walsh and Landon Emenalo, winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and defender Calvin Diakite, which has added excitement to the group.New signings Dastan Satpaev - who has special dispensation from Kairat to train before officially joining on his 18th birthday in August - Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda have also been involved. Recalled loanees Nicolas Jackson and Aaron Anselmino are being assessed as well.The players took part in a bleep test on Monday, won by Walsh, whose physique has developed significantly. Cole Palmer finished second after an injury-hit season, while teenage forward Estevao Willian was third."He wants to be fit," Alonso said of Palmer, who spent much of last season managing a recurring groin issue."He wants to put behind him the injury setbacks he had to cope with last year. He's special and, if he's enjoying himself and in a good mood and spirit, he can be a key player for us. So far, so good."On Estevao, he added: "We want to be careful with him. So far, he's feeling better and he's a very talented player."Alonso's coaching staff is packed with specialists. Ismael Camenforte Lopez, described in Germany as his manager's "ball butler", is known for feeding balls into training matches, allowing sessions to be played at a high tempo.Lopez is expected to play an important role early on, particularly in fitness work.Assistant coach Alberto Encinas specialises in technical development, while Sebastian 'Sebas' Parrilla is Alonso's right-hand man and the most experienced member of the coaching staff. Benat Labaien combines coaching duties with a cutting-edge video analysis role and is known for using drones and other technology.Alonso himself is very hands on, often seen taking part in drills, having been described by his former players as almost good enough to still be able to play a role.The next few weeks have already been mapped out. Behind-closed-doors friendlies against Crawley Town on Saturday and Bromley next Thursday, before they fly for their overseas pre-season tour next Friday.They will begin in Sydney, where they face Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham, before travelling to Hong Kong to play Juventus, then to Jakarta to face AC Milan, and finally Malaysia to take on Johor Darul Ta'zim.It will be a demanding trip, involving significant travel and multiple time zones. However, Alonso has been helped by the fact only eight Chelsea players were involved at the World Cup, with Palmer and Joao Pedro among the notable omissions.As a result, the time spent at Cobham could prove invaluable in building fitness levels, setting standards and laying the foundations before more detailed tactical work begins on tour.It is then that a clearer picture should emerge of Alonso's preferred system. He used a back four more often at Real Madrid, whereas he enjoyed his greatest success with a back five at Bayer Leverkusen.
Wednesday at 10:273 days Just got good vibes about this appointment, really, really hope it works out.
Wednesday at 10:453 days We had good vibes last summer after winning the CWC, then it quickly evaporated with sh*t signings and the realisation that nothing had changed. There's nearly always blind optimism in the summer for the upcoming season. Let's hope it's not a repeat of years gone by recently.
Wednesday at 11:003 days 11 minutes ago, Zeta said:We had good vibes last summer after winning the CWC, then it quickly evaporated with sh*t signings and the realisation that nothing had changed. There's nearly always blind optimism in the summer for the upcoming season. Let's hope it's not a repeat of years gone by recently.No, there were no good vibes around Maresca, even after winning the CWC, it is a sh*t competition, hyped up for American's ahead of the WC. Absolute bollox trophy, great we won it, but only good for holding the door open to the trophy room so fans can go see the proper cups and titles wever won.Much like Maresca's coma inducing football, Im forgetting about him very quickly and hope I dont see or hear too many interviews from him in future. the club just need to airbrush him out of out history!
Wednesday at 11:023 days Lots of fans were optimisitic.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6546873/2025/08/13/premier-league-hope-o-meter-2025-2026/
Wednesday at 11:033 days 16 minutes ago, Zeta said:We had good vibes last summer after winning the CWC, then it quickly evaporated with sh*t signings and the realisation that nothing had changed. There's nearly always blind optimism in the summer for the upcoming season. Let's hope it's not a repeat of years gone by recently.That was on Maresca though. He had the blueprint of success following the CWC final and just reverted back to his super conservative approach. Hopefully Xabi (a proven winner, not a nepo bald fraud) is smarter than that.
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