Marcos Alonso claims the Chelsea camp is more united than ever after coming through some tough times in recent weeks.
Chelsea take on Roma in the Champions League in Rome on Tuesday with renewed self-belief, having won their past three matches.
Coach Antonio Conte’s future has been the subject of much speculation this season, especially after the 3-3 draw against the Italian club at Stamford Bridge earlier this month meant the Blues had gone three games without a win. There has also been talk, denied by the club, that some players are unhappy with Conte’s training methods.
But as Chelsea face one of their toughest weeks of the campaign, with the match against Roma followed by the Premier League clash against Manchester United on Sunday, Alonso believes he and his team-mates are in great shape to cope with it.
The Spaniard told Standard Sport: “We have come together stronger as a group. In any difficult moments, it is always good for the team when we fight and work together. That’s what we have done over the last few weeks, so it is a good time for us to play a good game in Rome.
“As for [the speculation about Conte], these things always happen. There are people around trying to destabilise, trying to make things not go easy for us. But we have to focus on training, perform in games — and that’s all that matters at the end of the season.
“We have come to Rome with a good feeling. They got a draw against us but we’re playing to win all three points.”
In Pictures | Chelsea train ahead of Roma | 30/10/17
Roma were the better side at Stamford Bridge, with former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko scoring two fine goals to put the visitors 3-2 up. It took an Eden Hazard header late in the second half to rescue a point.
Despite this, Alonso believes the team should not be intimdated by the task facing them at the Stadio Olimpico.
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“I have very good memories from playing at the stadium,” added the former Fiorentina wing-back. “I scored against them in a 3-0 win in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“We saw how good they are last time. They are playing very good football, we will have to be 100 per cent focused. They have quality players, you have to have that to play in the Champions League.
“How do we stop Dzeko this time? I think the Bournemouth game on Saturday (Chelsea won 1-0) was a good example. We defended together, we did it as a team, we were compact and did very well. We have to be like that against Roma.”
Meanwhile, Conte will have talks with N’Golo Kante before deciding whether to recall him tonight. The midfielder has not played since suffering a hamstring injury while playing for France earlier this month.