Secret friendlies and promoting youngsters - Alonso's first week at Chelsea
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Xabi 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.
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.
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, he's feeling better and he's a very talented player."Alonso's coaching staff is packed with specialists.