Xabi Alonso says he wants to build on the “strong culture” already embedded at Chelsea, where players have to be “willing to pay the price” to play at the highest levels of the game.Â
The Spaniard started work at the club on Tuesday after being appointed as Liam Rosenior’s permanent successor in May.
The Blues are hoping that Alonso can revive their fortunes following a disappointing campaign in which they finished 10th in the Premier League table and without a trophy.
Xabi Alonso plans to build on ‘strong culture’ at Chelsea
“For me, in football, there are principles that are [non] negotiable,” Alonso said in.
“You need to be willing to pay the price to compete at the highest level. You can’t hold back anything. You need to give everything you have for the benefit of the team. The team is always the most important thing.
“We need to create that culture, which is a process – and the process is on a daily basis here in Cobham, training every day to prepare for when we have to perform in front of our fans.
“I think there is a strong culture already built, there’s an important core of the team and those players that they have established throughout the years need to help the young ones to feel that.
“That’s with their professionalism, with their work ethic, with knowing the team is the most important thing. On a daily basis, we will be able to have that perception and create that culture.
“That culture we are able to build here will, 100 per cent, be transmitted onto Stamford Bridge.”
Alonso achieved great success in his first senior managerial role, guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga and German Cup double, going undefeated domestically for the entire season. They also reached the UEFA Europa League final, which they lost to Atalanta.
The 44-year-old took up the reins at Real Madrid last summer, but only lasted seven months in the job.
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