Alonso primed for Spurs showdown
mates recent history will count for little as they
aim to maintain their winning run in the Premier
League against Tottenham next weekend.
A first-half Diego Costa goal gave Antonio
Conte's men a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on
Sunday, sending the Stamford Bridge outfit to
the top of the table – one point above Liverpool
and Manchester City.
Spurs are up next this Saturday, returning to a
ground where they have failed to win since 1990
for the first time since Eden Hazard's equaliser in
a 2-2 draw ended their title aspirations in May.
Mauricio Pochettino's side must first travel to
Monaco in the Champions League, while Chelsea
– absent from European competition this term –
will have a chance to rest.
"In three days you can recover, very well, but
maybe it can be an advantage for us," Alonso
told reporters.
"We have to think game-by-game, and now we
have Tottenham at home. It is going to be a
massive three points for us and we have to rest
now and then start getting ready for Saturday.
"Lots of people [say how big this game is], more
than the players - it is the fans, [who tell me]. I
know they always remind me that this London
derby is special and hopefully we can get the
three points on Saturday.
"I don't like statistics but hopefully we can keep
winning at home against them."
A statistic in Alonso's favour is Chelsea winning
six out of six without conceding a goal in the
league since Conte brought him into his starting
line-up and turned to a 3-4-3 formation that has
yielded remarkable results.
"It is something I have been working for. I am
very happy to be here, helping the team and now
I am just looking forward to next week, another
tough game," he added.
"The most important thing is the team is doing
well. I think we are playing good football. I'm
happy to be there helping the team every week.
We just have to keep working hard to stay up
there.
"I think with the players we have now and the
way we are playing and the way we go into the
game with the right focus and concentration, it's
very hard to beat us at the moment. If we keep
playing like this then it will be tough for other
teams. We just have to work hard and keep
doing the hard work during the week."
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