Key Takeaways
- Xabi Alonso warned against complacency ahead of facing an unbeaten Hull City side that has kept three clean sheets, stating: “Impossibles in football is too big words.”
- Alonso confirmed that Cole Palmer played a major role in bringing Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, saying: “Cole was very influential and he played an important role.”
- Moises Caicedo will miss the fixture as Alonso avoids taking risks with the midfielder’s fitness ahead of the upcoming Brentford match.
Preparation for unbeaten Hull City
Chelsea are preparing to host Hull City at Stamford Bridge in their fourth Premier League fixture of the campaign, with manager Xabi Alonso ensuring his squad remains fully grounded against the newly promoted side. Hull arrive in West London boasting an unbeaten run, sitting on seven points without having conceded a single goal following matches against Manchester United, Coventry City, and Aston Villa.
Addressing suggestions about Chelsea’s attacking prowess, Alonso dismissed hyperbolic talk of an unstoppable forward line. “Let’s not talk about those big words. Impossibles in football is too big words,” Alonso stated. “We face tomorrow game with the same respect we did last week against Arsenal. How they are seven points, no goal conceded. They will be hard to beat. They have their weapons as well with transition set pieces. They have the belief. The coach is doing a great job. So, it’s going to be hard and we’ll have to be at our best to beat Hull tomorrow.”
Alonso also paid tribute to the work of Hull’s manager, who earned the Premier League Manager of the Month award after guiding the team up from the Championship. “Not just he’s here for me to get a promotion from Championship to Premier League. It’s a big big success. So well done from this award but very well done from the promotion from last year,” Alonso noted, adding: “Tomorrow we are prepared. We are ready. There is not going to be a complacency from us.”
Partnership blossoming in attack
Chelsea’s attacking dynamic has been buoyed by the growing link between Cole Palmer and summer arrival Morgan Rogers, who have playfully debated who deserved the player of the match award following their win over Leeds United. Alonso expressed his satisfaction with their chemistry, revealing that Palmer had actively encouraged the transfer.
“For me it’s good that both they feel entitled to this award for sure both they are enjoying themselves playing with the team, playing with each other,” Alonso explained. When asked about Palmer’s off-pitch influence in recruiting Rogers, Alonso confirmed: “Cole was very influential and he played an important role.”
Rogers has hit the ground running since arriving at Stamford Bridge, aligning with the club’s recruitment strategy. “He’s adapted quite well very quick for sure. It was a target and it was a strategic decision on us that we got few players that they were ready to compete and ready to have an instant impact in the team. Morgan was for sure the top one,” Alonso remarked.
Tactical balance and squad fitness
While Chelsea have consistently found early goals, Alonso emphasized that the ongoing objective remains establishing a solid collective structure across the pitch. “That’s the goal. This is the focus. This is the process that we want to be more competitive to be as good or even better in attack because I think that there is room for improvement and to have the balance to feel solid as well and to feel strong in defense,” he said. Discussing the role of ball retention, Alonso added: “It’s a key part, but for me the key part is to create chances to have chances to win games, not to concede that many chances.”
On the injury front, midfielder Moises Caicedo remains sidelined for the Hull fixture. “No, not yet. Let’s see for Brentford, but unluckily not the moment to take risk with him,” Alonso confirmed. Meanwhile, Romeo Lavia is available, though Jordan Henderson is among those unavailable until at least next week.
Alonso also highlighted the versatility of Pedro Neto, who has operated effectively in wide areas. “For me he’s a winger. You can call him winger, wing back because he has many qualities. He can play on the last line. He can defend on the first line,” Alonso stated. “He has a fantastic work rate. He connects very well with the players around… with him, you know that he’s going to compete and you want this kind of friends in your team.”
Chelsea performance and stats
Chelsea is currently 4th in the Premier League with 6 points.
In the last 3 games, it has won twice and lost once. In its last match, Chelsea lost 2-1 against Arsenal.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 8 goals and conceding 7.
Chelsea will play the next match in Premier League against Hull City on Saturday 12th of September in London. The prediction is Chelsea winning the match.
Real Madrid performance and stats
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is currently 3rd in the La Liga with 9 points.
In the last 4 games, it has won 3 times and lost once. In its last match, Real Madrid lost 1-0 against Real Betis.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 10 goals and conceding 3.
Real Madrid will play the next match in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday 12th of September in Madrid. The prediction is Real Madrid winning the match.
