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It is not all rosy at Chelsea either. A home defeat to Spurs can bring any season to a grinding halt and the manner of the performance last weekend has brought Xabi Alonso under scrutiny. Wednesday’s defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup has not helped, with the domestic cups surely taking higher priority this season without European football.
But perhaps the most concerning thing for Alonso is his growing injury list. In recent days and weeks he has lost Reece James, João Pedro and Maxence Lacroix – with none of them expected back for a few weeks at least. Emi Martínez could soon make a return from his broken jaw, but it will be Mike Penders in goal again today.
It’s pretty clear, it’s not always rosy and nice conversations between anyone, whether that’s between me and the players, whether that’s between me, Jason, Omar or the owners.
It’s the truth, it’s the hard truth at times and it’s what we need to move forward. Whatever we need to move forward, we will do.
I’ll be totally honest, it was mixed feelings for me. To have the appreciation from the supporters and that connection and that respect is something I feel strongly about.
It wasn’t a nice situation but to feel that was important, of course, but it didn’t make me feel better in the fact that I’m with the players 100% and we’re all in it together. I’ve told the players that, I’m happy to say that.
