On the eve of our first pre-season fixture, Xabi Alonso has been discussing his footballing philosophy and the importance of having options.
The Blues are set to take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday. It is a 7.45pm kick-off in Australia, which means a 10.45am start UK time. As with each of our six pre-season games, [you can watch it live on CFC+, with an annual membership costing just £14.99](https://memberships.chelseafc.com/en/subscriptions?_gl=1*1dlfb92*_gcl_au*MTg3ODEzMTQ5My4xNzgzMTUxODUz*_ga*OTUwMjY5MjIyLjE3MDA5MDA5ODk.*_ga_0SXVVHPVKT*czE3ODUxNjQzNjMkbzI3NzIkZzEkdDE3ODUxNjQzNzYkajQ3JGwwJGgxNzI3MzQ1NzYw*_fplc*MzdrWE1GVlFMTlVQVFpOSHhYU25rd3ZiV2RTb0JSNUFvc2M0WEFSSmQzZDF4Ympzc05VMHNZb2czalVRTDNoZ0Jhb0dCSE5zMUdGQ2MwS1VNemdESDElMkZKZlBsZUVObUo4cE5CSmxSNlhkbUppZ29rckRtUHlqU2Vlc29CVFElM0QlM0Q.).
It will be the first chance for fans around the world to see an Alonso Chelsea team in action. It is an exciting prospect, and ahead of the game our new manager has detailed what strategies we can expect to see implemented.
‘We will be flexible in our tactics, in our approach, in our game plans,’ said Alonso.
‘We have our principles; what we want can be the same, but we have tried, and we will try, different ideas. It’s about updating, developing something they have done with new concepts, which each manager has.
‘We need to go step by step. For that, we need to create good energies, good chemistry in the team. The team that will start in August won't be the same team that finishes in May, and I’m sure that team in May will be better than the first day.’
Anyone who watched the open training session at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday will have noticed just how hands-on Alonso likes to be. The former midfielder took part in drills and was constantly communicating with his players.
‘I like it, I feel it,’ he said.
‘I need to be close to the team, to participate with the energy, with the intensity I like. If I can run and touch the ball, then I like that.’
We are just a few days into our pre-season tour and - before our opening fixture against the local side - Alonso also outlined what he wants to get out of the first leg in Australia.
‘Well, we are expecting to have a productive and good time here in Sydney,’ he said.
‘You don’t have the chance to come every weekend here to Sydney, so you need to pick the right time.
‘So far it’s been good, and now we have our first game on Tuesday and then another on Saturday.’
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