Xabi Alonso expects Chelsea supporters to create an 'electric' atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge during today's game against Tottenham Hotspur, which he believes will show the Premier League at its very best.
Few occasions get Stamford Bridge bouncing quite like the visit of London rivals Tottenham to SW6; it's one of the first fixtures Blues supporters look out for when the Premier League fixtures are released each season.
This match will be no different, with Alonso's side going into tomorrow's game in good form after back-to-back wins over Bournemouth and Everton. We are also looking for a club-record seventh consecutive home league victory over Spurs.
Alonso is set to experience the atmosphere of a Chelsea versus Tottenham derby for the first time as Blues manager. But he knows what to expect and hopes the energy provided by the crowd can help his players to victory.
‘We are expecting a good atmosphere,’ he said. ‘Electric, with good energy, knowing that in a derby this passion is really in the air in the stadium.
‘We need to use it in a proper way because this is all about those games when you feel that excitement is something that you need. You don't need extra motivation; that will come naturally because of the history of the derby and because this is a top game.
‘We need that connection with the crowd in good moments. There will be tough moments, but we need to pull together and play our game. For me, it's fundamental that we play our game on the pitch.
‘The players, they do their best, but when the crowd is playing the game, is living it, that's the good thing about the Premier League. I think the crowd plays the game as well. It's not that they just watch the game.
‘They have great influence. When I say that spontaneously some energy is created in this league, it's because they feel that moment that: “Yes, I like what I see” and it's a big boost for the team.’
However, the Chelsea manager is aware that such emotionally charged atmospheres also require the players on the pitch to keep a level head to balance the passion with maturity, admitting that managing such situations in the Premier League is always a challenge mentally, but especially on occasions such as this.
‘It is very difficult,’ added Alonso. ‘That's why I've mentioned a few times that to find total dominance, a game when you are in full control and that you have no problems like in other leagues, it's difficult to find that in the Premier League unless you have become a top, top team.
‘That's why you can't rest when you are 2-0 up, because you know that if you concede one, the energy is coming, and you need to control that momentum. You can have mental preparation, but you need composure to deal with those moments.
‘I think that even in the Everton first half, we were 0-0, but there were a few [challenging] moments – 10 minutes of corner, throw-in, corner, throw-in. To go through those moments and to say, “Be calm guys, we know what we have to do, we have prepared for this and the other momentum will come”, for me it's fundamental.’