Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has called on his players to return to winning ways when they face Manchester United in Saturday’s early Premier League kick off.
The Blues head to the match after defeats by Tottenham and Liverpool in the past week. However, Alonso insists the league remains his main focus and wants his team to put those setbacks behind them.
Chelsea lost to Tottenham last weekend before suffering a Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool in midweek. Although the tie ended in a penalty shootout, the result added to a difficult run for the club.
Xabi Alonso said his players had little time to prepare for United. Still, he believes their performance against Liverpool showed signs of progress.
“We are back in Premier League mode and that for me is the main competition for us – this year and almost every year.
“It is a big one. We didn’t have long to prepare but it’s really important after the last home game we had that we keep winning games and get that winning feeling.
“As soon as we left Liverpool, we were thinking about United. I saw a better version of us on Wednesday than I did on Saturday, even though the result wasn’t what we wanted in either. This is a journey where we will have tough moments and we need to learn from them.”
Alonso Backs Carrick and Gives Chelsea Team News
Xabi Alonso also discussed the pressure on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick following his side’s recent struggles.
The Chelsea boss spoke warmly about Carrick, saying he respected him both as a manager and as a person. However, he declined to comment on the situation at Old Trafford.
“I have great respect, I have great sympathy for Michael as a manager.
“I know him because we have played against each other. We played recently in a legends game and we had a little chat. He is a good guy and one you want to be around. Aside from that, it is not for me to comment.”
Asked whether the noise around United would affect Chelsea’s preparation, Alonso said his approach would remain the same.
He insisted that his players must focus on their own performance rather than their opponents’ position in the table.
“For me, it doesn’t change. We need to prepare the same way. We can only control what we can control. We know they are a good team, it doesn’t matter about the table. They have a good squad, good player, good manager.”
Chelsea will also welcome Cole Palmer back from suspension. The England winger missed the Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool after receiving two yellow cards against Tottenham last weekend.
Alonso confirmed that he had spoken to Palmer about the incident and what he could do better. However, he stressed that the forward’s first red card should not define him.
“We have spoken about the game and things he can improve, but we always do,” said Alonso.
“We don’t want it repeated but for him it is the first one (red card). So we have talked more about football because Cole is a smart guy.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. Xabi Alonso confirmed that defenders Maxence Lacroix and Jorrel Hato have joined the club’s injury list.
They are among several players unavailable, alongside goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, striker Joao Pedro and captain Reece James.
The timing could favour Manchester United. Carrick’s side have enjoyed a rare full midweek break, while Chelsea have had to recover from two demanding matches against Tottenham and Liverpool.
Alonso will now hope his players can turn their improved performance at Anfield into a positive result against United.
