Xabi Alonso first Chelsea press conference LIVE - Blues boss on transfers, exits, Enzo Fernandez

Xabi Alonso will be speaking to the media at Stamford Bridge for the first time since being appointed as the new manager of Chelsea

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will take questions from the British media for the first time. The Spaniard was unveiled as the new Blues boss towards the end of last season, but is yet to address the press pack.

He has already detailed his vision while speaking with club media ahead of a vital campaign for the west Londoners. With Marc Cucurella leaving this summer and Enzo Fernandez being linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge, Alonso will address many players' futures.

There is also the situation around Alejandro Garnacho, who was not in Alonso's first training session as Blues' boss. All of this and plenty more will be covered today - for all of the ex-Real Madrid's manager's comments as Chelsea boss, follow football.london's live blogs for updates and comments.

Key Events

Xabi Alonso is here!

View Post

And that's that

Xabi Alonso's press conference has come to an end. Every word from his first press conference as Chelsea manager will soon be uploaded - stay tuned!

Alejandro Garnarcho's future

"Well the situation is that we have spoken with the sporting directors. There is an interest for him from other clubs. So let's see how this develops. But hopefully, it finishes in the best possible way for other clubs."

On the World Cup

"Seeing the Spain games brings me a lot of memories, because of the team, because of their energy and control. We have many reasons to be optimistic. It will be a fantastic game to watch against France. Looking forward to it."

‌

On the players at the World Cup

"It was already a plan. It's not a big surprise we have some players still there. I'm happy for them, because they are having an unforgetable experience. At the end, hopefully we will have one champion and we will celebrate. We have to be flexible and we'll have to speed up the preparation with some players."

On back five or a back four

"I have things in mind. This is my job. We want to be brave, play good football, but we need to have good mentality. We need to know what to do in each moment, it will be a good process."

Marco Palestra and how he can adapt

"He has many great qualities for modern football. He can play in a back four or a back five, on the left. We need to keep working with him to adapt to the Premier League. He has a great mentality in terms of competitiveness and his hunger."

‌

Cole Palmer, what are his first impressions?

"We have had a few training sessions already. From the first day you can see he is a special talent. It's not easy to have one of those, you notice his quality and how he wants to play, his decisions. I'm happy that he comes in a good mood, with a good mindset to have a great season, we are looking forward to getting the best out of him. He will be a key player."

Following the likes of Jose Mourinho

"The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world. I'm really excited about accepting it, improving and learning together and the history of Chelsea. They have had so much success, so many great players and so many great managers. I feel honoured, priviliged and ready."

On his manager title

"For me it means we are working together to keep the right decisions in the planning, on the training sessions. But how we want to prepare the squad for each position. We are aligned, we have said our prorities of what we want to do."

‌

On Enzo Fernandez's future?

"We have spoken, but that reminds private."

Do you want to keep him at Chelsea?

"Yes."

Has no European football changed things?

"Small details for sure but the main focus for how we want to start in August does not change much. We are working with the sporting directors. What we need to reinforce is clear, but we are working on it."

What characteristics do the players need

"We need hunger, passion, we need to want to improve. The Premier League is so competitive. We need to prepare ourselves, we need to be determined in the details, how they want to play. But the most important bit is our game."

‌

How much hunger in the players?

"They are keen on what they are doing. You can see the energy is good, the excitement is there. We need to prepare well, we need to build the right mentality, the right basics and essentials to be ready for the weekends."

What does he want to achieve?

"To be part of that process, how we want to play, how we want to approach a game, that's my goal. That's what I am looking forward to having the whole squad. Early days, I am happy, but, for sure, I want to be there (in Europe). To be at Chelsea you need that ambition and hunger."

How ready does he feel?

"I want to work together with the sporting directors, the staff, I see it's a group with great potential. We need to make the right decisions. A strong base is built and we have to keep building this mentality to be competitive."

‌

What excites him?

"First of all, good afternoon. Thank you for the welcome. The excitement is the club, the squad, the opportunity to begin this journey. To create excitement, with the supporters and to win games and to be successful!"

Xabi Alonso is here!

Xabi Alonso has now entered for his first press conference as Chelsea manager. Stay with us and stay tuned for what he has to say!

Which players have Chelsea signed already?

Chelsea have already been busy in the transfer window. Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha have arrived, with their deals being agreed last season.

Left-back Denner and Dastan Satpaev have also arrived from Cronthians and Kairat Almaty respectively. Perhaps most significantly, Marco Palestra has arrived from Atalanta fresh off being crowned Serie A's best defender last season.

Who do you think Xabi Alonso will want to sign this summer?

‌

Xabi Alonso's first pre-season as Chelsea manager and who he will face

Xabi Alonso now has his feet under the table at Stamford Bridge. However, things are about to get busier.

Chelsea's pre-season tour across Australia and Asia will soon begin. Here is who the Blues will face and when:

Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Sydney Australia - July 28

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur, Sydney, Australia - August 1

Chelsea vs Juventus, Hong Kong - August 5

Chelsea vs AC Milan, Jakarta, Indonesia - August 8

Chelsea vs Johor Darul Ta'zim, Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia - August 9

Meanwhile, £50m Chelsea departure confirmed

In the build-up to Xabi Alonso's first press conference as Chelsea manager, Andrey Santos has been unveiled as a Manchester United player.

The Brazilian has moved to the Red Devils in a £50million move. It will be interesting to hear the Blues' boss' thoughts on this departure and whether there will be a replacement inbound.

What could Xabi Alonso be asked about today?

There will be plenty on the agenda for Xabi Alonso in his first Chelsea press conference.

The transfer window will likely dominate the agenda, particularly with Alejandro Garnacho not taking part in Alonso's first training session. The Spaniard will likely detail exactly why this was the case.

Enzo Fernandez's future will also be at the top of the list. Real Madrid have made it clear he is not on their radar, yet his agent, Javier Pastore, has claimed they are exploring options.

Then there is the situation about the goalkeepers. Will Robert Sanchez remain as the Blues No. 1 or will Mike Penders be offered an opportunity. All of this and many more will surely be covered.

‌

When does Xabi Alonso's first press conference start?

At present, the press conference at Stamford Bridge is expected to get underway at 3pm.

However, it's likely to be a busy day for the Spaniard so a delay is not out of the realms of possibility.

Football.London will be here with any and all updates if there is a change.

Hello Chelsea fans - it's almost time for Xabi Alonso

Good afternoon Blues fans

It's time to take our eyes of the World Cup for a short while as Xabi Alonso shall be speaking to the press for the first time as Chelsea manager. The Spaniard recently took charge of his first training session as Blues boss.

He also outlined his expectations and vision in his first interview as Chelsea manager. Now he is set to be placed in front of the UK press pack, he will be grilled on many other matters.

Follow Football London:

‌

Click here to read article