Chelsea DIE Hard FAN- Ktbffh .

🚨 CONFIRMED: Xabi Alonso’s Full Press Conference Ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League Opener!!!…

— "We feel ready. We have prepared the whole pre-season. The desire, ambition and hunger to start is already in the building."

— On Joao Pedro:

"We talk a lot with Joao because he is not just a great player. He has a great personality. His development as a great player and as a leader is very noticeable in each game. He has this focus and desire to have a great season."

— On Enzo Fernandez:

"Enzo is a Chelsea player. He's a top, top player. He's training really well. We are happy with him and he's getting ready for Monday."

— On splitting the players into different groups:

"We are managing well with group dynamics. We have different groups and it has not been an issue."

— On Danny Welbeck training individually:

"He can be involved. He needs a couple of days not training too much because of a little thing. We expect him to be back on Saturday."

— On if World Cup players need more time:

"Let's see, we will check, we will assess. For sure, because of the World Cup they might need a little bit more time. They are selectable for the line-up."

— On if top four is the target:

"Ambition is to be as high as possible. Let's see where we are in May. We need the hunger to do well and create a good spirit."

— On Arbeloa relationship:

"You can have a relationship but once we're on the pitch, no friends and no past. We are fighting for 90 minutes."

— On if no European football is an advantage:

"We have more time to prepare each game, that is a fact. We need to use the time in the right way. It's not what we wanted but it is what it is."

— On Reece James position:

"He's flexible in his game. He needs to feel important - that's the main thing. Not just because he's a captain but also wherever he plays. He has quality, game intelligence, experience and is composed with the ball."

— On his hands-on approach in training and if he could he still get in the XI:

"No chance [I get in the starting line-up]. I like to feel it, I like to be close to the players and be involved in training. To have this close impact with the players is so important. My main goal is to help them understand and make sure they know what to do."

— On designated penalty takers:

"I don't know which ones were last season but yes, we have our own decisions."

— On Fulham:

"Football is about mentality, it's about competitiveness, it's about going through difficult moments in the game. It's so important. Starting on Monday, it's going to be a nice battle."

— On Levi Colwill fitness:

"I would say having a proper pre-season has helped him in taking the right steps in the right moment. We don't want to rush him too quickly because of what he had last year. Now, after pre-season, we are expecting him to play in a good way with the confidence and the fitness to have him at his best level. For me, he is one of the best centre backs in the world."

— On Marco Palestra:

"He has this option [to play either side]. He has had a great impact in the changing room. He's a great guy. The freshness he has brought, it's a very great addition. [His profile is] something different, not that common here - but in Italy it is quite common."

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers for £117m, reports David Ornstein 😬😬

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Xabi Alonso:

"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."