Xabi Alonso during a press conference
Xabi Alonso during a press conference
It is that time again. The Premier League season is back (nearly) and that means the return of press conferences.
In the hot seat this time is Xabi Alonso, much to everyone involved with Chelsea's excitement. The feel-good factor at Stamford Bridge has returned and Alonso will be keen to ensure it sticks around with a victory in his Premier League managerial debut on Monday evening.
The Blues make the short trip across west London to take on neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage. Alonso will take his pre-match press conference this afternoon (he is due in the seat at 1:30pm UK time) and it is set to be an extremely busy one for the Spaniard.
The future of Enzo Fernandez will undoubtedly be the main talking point with the Chelsea manager set to address the speculation over his midfielder's future and whether he will be included in Monday night's squad. Bobby Vincent is live at the Blues' Cobham-based training facility throughout the afternoon to bring you every word Alonso has to say.
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Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Mykhailo Mudryk are part of a group of up to 12 Chelsea players training away from the first-team squad at Cobham, football.london understands.
Blues sources are quick to stress this is not a so-called 'bomb squad' like previous seasons in BlueCo's tenure, and that is emphasised by new signings Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck's inclusion in the group. Instead, it is a mixed group of players training away from Xabi Alonso's senior squad at Cobham.
This news comes just a few days from Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Jackson, Delap and Mudryk are all in a different group and they are working alongside the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi as well as Henderson and Welbeck.
Read more from Bobby Vincent here
Good afternoon. I hope everyone is having a fantastic day. Welcome back to Chelsea's training centre in Cobham for the start of the new Premier League season.
While the Blues do not begin their campaign until Monday night, with the short trip to west London neighbours Fulham, Xabi Alonso will speak to the media for the first time this season later this afternoon.
The Spaniard is due here at 1:30pm to speak to a room full of journalists to speak about his first official match as Chelsea manager, and also address the future of Enzo Fernandez.
Xabi Alonso
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)