Xabi Alonso defends Chelsea tactics but hints at changes before Hull clash

Spaniard suggested the absence of key personnel has hindered his approach

Xabi Alonso insists he is unconcerned about Chelsea’s lack of possession in the early days of the Premier League season, but admits he would like his side to have more control over their matches.

The Blues have come through their first three league matches of the campaign with a respectable six points, but have averaged just 36 per cent possession across those ties.

Their efficiency on the ball, though, cannot be faulted. Their paltry possession has been converted into eight goals from 48 shots.

Alonso is adamant Chelsea’s chance creation is sufficient to outweigh their minimal time on the ball, though he conceded having more possession would help develop his side’s identity.

“(Possession is) 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,” he explained on Friday.

Speaking out: Xabi Alonso

Getty

“Sometimes, for sure, with the ball you can control better, but sometimes you need to be able to feel that you are controlling when you have the ball, because the opponents are good and the context and the competition is really hard.”

Saturday’s meeting with Hull, another low possession side, will present a tricky test for Alonso, whose own men will likely enjoy far more of the ball than they have been used to.

Alonso acknowledged he may need to adjust his approach when hosting the Tigers, and suggested injuries to the likes of Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson have prevented him from doing so already: “I like to have the mindset to adapt, to compete.

“We have a clear idea that it's going to be hard each game and the context of each game is different. We have scored so well in all the games. We will have to change, for sure, our approach of the game.

“But knowing that we are in the process of many things, I think that we are still in the early days to know what this team, for sure, is going to be. I think that we will develop many things. We will develop when important players are joining and they are able to play.

“We are having this feeling that we are competing well, but there are some things that we can do better, for sure.

Tomorrow we are prepared, we are ready. There is not going to be complacency from us. We have full respect for them and we know that it will be hard to beat them. If we do things well, if we complete and play at our level, I think we will have a good chance.”