Chelsea face ‘big challenge’ against Brentford – Alonso
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso admits his side will face a big test against Brentford in Friday’s derby.
The Bees are renowned for their threat from set-pieces, long throws and fast counter-attacks, but Alonso feels those strengths only tell part of the story.
“Yes they do that very well, but not just that,” Alonso said. “They do other things, not just the transition, not just the set-pieces.
“I think it is a team, a club that has developed the project and the game very well. They are very complete in many aspects, with or without the ball.
“And playing there, you see the numbers; they have great strength playing at home. So it is going to be a big challenge.
Meanwhile, Alonso described the change in ownership structure at Chelsea as an “important day” for the club.
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter have sold their shares, handing majority owner Clearlake Capital full control.
Clearlake, run by co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, previously held a 61.5% stake in the Blues. Boehly, Walter and fellow investor Hansjorg Wyss each owned 12.8%.
Boehly has stepped down as chairman as a result of the deal, a role he had held since the consortium’s £2.3bn purchase of Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
“I think it is an important day for the club when there is an important change in the structure of the club, new ownership,” Alonso said.
“Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role. And now that Behdad is taking more control, or almost full control, I think it is good that the main one is clear.
“I have a very good relationship with Behdad; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me, and we are working well together.
“As I have mentioned, this is phase one we have completed in project of the squad. It is good and now we move on together.”