Xabi Alonso gives Chelsea transfer update and names star who has impressed him in season openers

XABI ALONSO’s Chelsea squad construction masterplan is almost complete. The Blues finally seem to have struck a fine balance between talented youth and level-headed experience going into this season, with Alonso, 44, admitting Chelsea are “quite close to the plan we had”. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea plans are almost complete Credit: Getty Chelsea have added plenty of new additions under Xabi Alonso Credit: Getty Alonso has bought in experienced heads in the likes of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, as well as adding top quality Premier League experience in Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, who seem to be taking no time at all to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge. But Chelsea have also had another good window in terms of raking in profitable fees for their unwanted stars, with Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap gone, and wantaway Enzo Fernandez’s exit seemingly looming. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Ahead of facing Brighton on Sunday, Alonso said: “We are quite close to the plan we had. We will see where we finish, if it’s fully executed or there are things still to be done or things we couldn’t do. “But for sure I think overall the balance of what we have is going to be good. We have to see how the last few days develop. “But so far the team is coming together. It is a process that will take time. We are in a good position, with a few more days to see.” Welbeck, who scored the opener against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, is unlikely to start against his former club on Sunday. But even if he doesn’t play at all, Alonso will be relieved that he’s not playing against Welbeck, and is aware of his scoring record against the Blues – with five goals and two assists in eight games for Brighton against them. When asked about Welbeck, Alonso laughed: “I am aware (of his record) and I am happy he is with us. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS “He has many qualities. As a player you see how intelligent he is. He links well. “Outside the box he is able to combine, inside the box he is very intelligent to be in the right place. We have seen it tonight. “On a daily basis he is a great influence for the rest of the players. He trains really hard. “He is raising all the standards in training and that is something we think is very important.” But it’s not just experience that Alonso has bought in, it seems he is the first Chelsea manager who is going to put faith in academy graduate Josh Acheampong at the back, who started against both Fulham and Luton in different systems. He has been arguably Chelsea’s best central defender in both games, having been constantly linked with a move away on loan, and now looks set for a breakthrough season under the Spanish boss. Alonso added: “For me when Josh plays with confidence, with aggression, he has a lot of good attributes for a modern defender. It seems like Alonso is the manager who will finally put trust in Josh Acheampong Credit: Alamy He has been in fine form against Fulham and Luton Credit: Getty “He can play in different positions, he is good with the ball, he understands the game. “I have seen progression in these few weeks that we have been together and he has played very solid games against Fulham and Luton. We are very happy he is felling this way. “We need to help him. There will be different moments in the season for sure because we are going to have competition in all positions.” Comment now