XABI ALONSO CHARGES CHELSEA TO EMBRACE WINNING MENTALITY, WANTS ENZO FERNANDEZ TO STAY

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Agency Report

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has urged his players to develop a strong winning mentality, insisting that ambition and hunger for success will be central to his reign at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking at his first press conference on Monday, the former Real Madrid manager outlined his vision for the club but stopped short of setting specific targets for his debut season.

Alonso, however, said securing European qualification remains an important objective.

“For sure that’s a goal,” he said.

“But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things, and to be part of that process, how do we want to play? How do we want to see ourselves? How do we want to approach a game wherever we go?

“That’s my job. That’s why I am really looking forward to having the whole squad. At the moment we have some bids, but early days so far.

“But for sure, we want to be there and time will tell. But we are ambitious and we at Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success.”

The Spaniard also made it clear that he wants Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez to remain at the club amid speculation linking him with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid had earlier denied reports suggesting an interest in signing Fernandez, who is currently preparing to feature for Argentina in Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against England.

Alonso confirmed he had already held discussions with the midfielder.

“Yes, we have spoken.

“But as you can understand, what we have spoken about remains private. But yes, we have spoken,” he said.

Asked directly if he wanted Fernandez to stay at Chelsea, Alonso replied: “Yes.”

Fernandez is one of four Chelsea players still involved in the World Cup, alongside England duo Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, as well as France defender Malo Gusto.

Chelsea have not won the Premier League since lifting the title under Antonio Conte a decade ago and have endured frequent managerial changes in recent years, with Alonso succeeding Liam Rosenior, who spent just three-and-a-half months in charge.

Although Alonso declined to reveal whether the club’s hierarchy had set a timeline for mounting a Premier League title challenge, he reiterated his determination to build a competitive side.

“What I am sure is that we have the ambition to want to win a lot of games, to be competitive,” he said.

“We need to take important decisions, we need to build strong principles and a strong mentality and culture in the club.

“Time will tell. I’m not going to say what will happen in May… But I am confident, I am optimistic that we can have a great season.”