Chelsea hit the road for the first time since our 3-0 defeat to Brentford as we travel to Everton tomorrow, and Xabi Alonso is determined to see his side deal with what he expects will be a ‘high-demand’ game.
Our second visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium comes following last weekend’s emphatic 5-1 win over Bournemouth. That victory was the perfect return to action after not only the prolonged international break, but also the disappointing result at the Gtech Stadium that preceded it.
Against our west London neighbours, the Blues conceded three second-half goals to fall to defeat. There were lessons to be learned. And Alonso hopes that experience, while painful, will prove beneficial in what he expects will be a hostile environment at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
‘It’s going to be tough at Everton, but we are looking forward to the intensity of the game, a high-demand game, high tempo,’ said Alonso.
‘I haven't been in the stadium, but they've told me it's a nice one with good atmosphere, so we are looking forward to it.
‘I want that we compete and show what it takes to win away Premier League games in tough stadiums where the supporters create a great emotional energy. I want us to deal with that by playing, but by competing as well. For sure, the experience at Brentford is not forgotten.’
With 15 goals scored in our opening six top-flight games of the season, Alonso wants the Blues to stay proficient in the final third while shoring things up at the other end, which he has emphasised will increase our chances of winning challenging games, such as the one we can expect on Merseyside.
Against Bournemouth, Alonso adjusted his side’s shape out of possession, with the Blues dropping back into a 4-4-2 formation. Our manager explained why he will remain flexible in how he sets his team up depending on the opposition, while noting certain elements of play matter more.
He explained: ‘We want to be flexible, but we also want to be solid whenever we are pressing high, or a little bit lower. We need to think that the distances are right and that the balance is the right one, so we chose that way against Bournemouth.
‘Everton is going to be different. They do many good things and have very good players who have experience. So those principles are important.
‘It can be in a 4-4-2, it can be in a 5-2-3, but the distances, how you help and how you have a good balance, this is what you need to defend. After that, what you do with the ball is another thing.’