'I’m Sure It Will Be Better' - Xabi Alonso Issues 'Different' Promise To Chelsea Fans

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has outlined his long-term ambitions for the club, insisting that building a side capable of competing for major honours will take time.

The 44-year-old has enjoyed a predominantly impressive start at Stamford Bridge, with his side currently sitting fourth in the Premier League after seven matches.

Back-to-back victories against Fulham and Brighton gave the west London side the perfect start to the season.

However, a three-game winless run followed, with defeats to Arsenal and Brentford either side of a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Hull City.

The international break came at a useful time for Alonso, allowing key players such as Moisés Caicedo to recover from injury, while João Pedro and Cole Palmer were given the opportunity to rest from their respective knocks.

Since the return of league action at the beginning of October, Chelsea have recorded back-to-back victories for the second time this season, beating Bournemouth at home and Everton away. The Toffees had been unbeaten prior to the Blues’ visit.

This May will mark 10 years since the Premier League trophy was last held in west London and six years since Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League victory over Manchester City in Porto.

In a recent interview, Alonso sat down with former teammate Jamie Carragher at the Blues’ training ground to discuss the project and the standards set at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “This club has won Champions Leagues, Premier Leagues not so long ago, and we want to be back there, but we are not stupid to think, ‘Oh, this has to come right now.’”

Alonso’s comments underline the high standards at the club, but he has also hinted that success is not expected to come instantly and that patience is required. The aim is to build a team capable of competing consistently for major honours over the coming years.

The first target for the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager will be to get Chelsea back into Europe’s most prestigious competition.

A return to the Champions League for the 2027/28 season would be a good starting point for Alonso, after which expectations could naturally rise. The additional revenue would allow further investment while helping the club retain its top players.

Additionally, Alonso has admitted that the side he sees now will not be the same one he envisions in May. He said: “The Chelsea we are now, and the Chelsea we will be in May, will be different. And I’m sure it will be better.”

Alonso’s vision could offer renewed optimism to supporters who have experienced a turbulent period since Roman Abramovich sold the club in 2022. Although Chelsea have lifted the UEFA Conference League and the revamped FIFA Club World Cup during this period, inconsistency has continued to raise questions about the long-term direction.

Squad depth could become a focal point when the January transfer window opens, with Chelsea continuing to back Alonso. Links to Alex Scott persist, while defensive reinforcements could be considered if concerns over the centre-back positions remain. 

However, recent results suggest that giving the current squad time to develop could prove just as valuable as making further signings.

With Tottenham Hotspur heading to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, the fixture offers Chelsea an opportunity to prove to supporters that the club is moving in the right direction.

Building momentum is key in football, and a third consecutive victory would offer further evidence of progress under Alonso. The bigger challenge, however, will be maintaining consistency throughout the season.