Xabi Alonso will hold his pre-Everton [a] press conference from 1.30pm [UK] this afternoon. https://t.co/EVAaBlE06G
RT @DailyACNews: How Long Reece James Is Set To Be Sidelined For As Estimated Chelsea Return Date Revealed https://t.co/3CRvQEa29a
Xabi Alonso on Reece James:
"We are all disappointed, especially for him. He wanted to have a good start after the international break. But he picked up an injury. We wanted to be cautious to wait for the tests. Now the surgery has been successful. He will be close to the team."
"We are all disappointed, especially for him. He wanted to have a good start after the international break. But he picked up an injury. We wanted to be cautious to wait for the tests. Now the surgery has been successful. He will be close to the team."
Xabi Alonso on Reece James:
"We don't have the exact time. It's not going to be short, or two-three weeks. After Christmas, time will tell. Things have to be done properly. Disappointment for everyone. But we have a squad for that to deal with injuries."
"We don't have the exact time. It's not going to be short, or two-three weeks. After Christmas, time will tell. Things have to be done properly. Disappointment for everyone. But we have a squad for that to deal with injuries."
Xabi Alonso:
"We will be able to manage well [until the international break]. We feel good."
"We will be able to manage well [until the international break]. We feel good."
Xabi Alonso on Reece James' injury affecting January business:
"No, I don't think so. We expect he will be back [around the January window]."
"No, I don't think so. We expect he will be back [around the January window]."
Xabi Alonso on Everton:
"Tomorrow is going to be tough. But we are looking forward to this game, intensity, high demand and tempo. A good atmosphere. We are looking forward to it."
"Tomorrow is going to be tough. But we are looking forward to this game, intensity, high demand and tempo. A good atmosphere. We are looking forward to it."
Xabi Alonso on Everton:
"We want to compete. We know what it takes to win away in tough stadiums. For sure, the experience for Brentford is not forgotten."
"We want to compete. We know what it takes to win away in tough stadiums. For sure, the experience for Brentford is not forgotten."
Xabi Alonso on 4-4-2 shape vs Bournemouth:
"We want to be flexible, but solid whenever we are pressing high or lower. We feel the distances are right and the balances are right. We chose that way versus Bournemouth. Everton will be different."
"We want to be flexible, but solid whenever we are pressing high or lower. We feel the distances are right and the balances are right. We chose that way versus Bournemouth. Everton will be different."
Xabi Alonso:
"The midfielders need to take, for me, in a game many, many, many decisions. Small ones that look meaningless but are significant. That means they are always thinking one step ahead. We are working for that."
"The midfielders need to take, for me, in a game many, many, many decisions. Small ones that look meaningless but are significant. That means they are always thinking one step ahead. We are working for that."
Xabi Alonso:
"It's in the moment [my team talks]. I don't take credit for that [laughs]. It's for the players. Sometimes you talk and lose the game! You need to have an impact. The emotional part of the game is important."
"It's in the moment [my team talks]. I don't take credit for that [laughs]. It's for the players. Sometimes you talk and lose the game! You need to have an impact. The emotional part of the game is important."
Xabi Alonso:
"We have Moi, Levi, players that take the responsibility. They have the support from the rest."
"We have Moi, Levi, players that take the responsibility. They have the support from the rest."
Xabi Alonso:
"You can be captain without an armband. Ones who wear it have to be proud and take responsibility. You can have leadership without it."
"You can be captain without an armband. Ones who wear it have to be proud and take responsibility. You can have leadership without it."
Xabi Alonso on Emmanuel Emegha:
"He's not yet [fit]. He felt something yesterday, a little thing. He's going to be training next week. He's still no 100% fit to be playing in the game. When he is fit, he is very special. He's 195m, he's quick, attacks the space."
"He's not yet [fit]. He felt something yesterday, a little thing. He's going to be training next week. He's still no 100% fit to be playing in the game. When he is fit, he is very special. He's 195m, he's quick, attacks the space."
Xabi Alonso on Emmanuel Emegha:
"He's going to be difficult for the defenders when he's in good shape."
"He's going to be difficult for the defenders when he's in good shape."
Xabi Alonso on Reece James:
"I am very confident [of his leadership role during his injury absence]. He is so proud to be playing for this club, to reach this moment [of being #CFC captain] because he's played many years. To take that responsibility in a natural way and his own way of leadership. He is so respected and has the support."
"I am very confident [of his leadership role during his injury absence]. He is so proud to be playing for this club, to reach this moment [of being #CFC captain] because he's played many years. To take that responsibility in a natural way and his own way of leadership. He is so respected and has the support."