Xabi Alonso don finally land for Chelsea as manager, and e don already start to praise one of im key players, Cole Palmer. During im first press conference for Stamford Bridge, Alonso talk say Palmer na special talent wey im go work to bring out the best from.
Alonso say: “We don do some training sessions already, and from the first day, you fit see say e na special talent. E be special player. You go notice im quality, how e fit play and make the right decision for the right spot. I dey happy say e come with good mood and good mindset to get great season, and we dey really look forward to get the best from am.”
Palmer, wey be 24 years old, don show signs of im best last season despite injury problems. E score hat-trick against Wolves, become first player for Premier League history to record three separate first-half hat-tricks. Alonso believe say if dem build strong team with proper stability, Palmer go be key player for attacking third.
Apart from Palmer, Alonso also talk about new signing Marco Palestra, wey join from Atalanta for £47 million. Palestra don win Serie A Defender of the Year during loan spell for Cagliari. Alonso say: “Marco get many great qualities to adapt to modern football. E be player wey give you versatility for im positioning, whether you dey play back four or back five. Sometimes e even play for left side, and e physically really strong. We need to work with am for development, for im adaptation to Premier League, but I dey sure say e no go take long time. E get very good mentality for competitiveness, for im hunger to improve. So, I dey happy say e don come.”
Alonso arrive Chelsea after period of constant change for club. Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover, Chelsea don change manager plenty times. Alonso be sixth permanent manager for four years. The club finish 10th for Premier League last season and no go get European football this year. But Alonso sign four-year contract and dey optimistic.
Alonso say: “When we start to talk, e be good opportunity to come. I no think say we dey far to create good team, to compete for any game and to win plenty games. Honestly, I think so. Last year, some things happen. I positively think say we fit do much better, change some things, update and reinforce for some positions. If we get right balance and right decisions, we fit get good season. I dey optimistic and really believe am.”
The new manager don already start to reshape squad. Marc Cucurella go Real Madrid for £52 million, Andrey Santos join Manchester United for £50 million, Tyrique George sign for Everton for £18 million. Alejandro Garnacho wey come from Manchester United for £50 million less than year ago dey expect to leave. Alonso don also speak with Enzo Fernández, wey dem link with move to Real Madrid, and Alonso say the Argentinian midfielder want to stay.
Alonso talk about discipline issues wey affect Chelsea last season, including 11 red cards, wey be new club record. E say: “We want team with right mentality, right hunger, right standards and on daily basis build on dem. I no be general, but I be good professional, and I know wetin e take to be good professional.”
