Alonso: Too Early to Call Arsenal Unstoppable

Chelsea are already five points behind reigning Premier League champions Arsenal after four matches, but Alonso believes it is too early to draw conclusions about the title race.

Arsenal and Manchester City have won all their league games so far, but the Chelsea boss stressed that there is still a long way to go this season.

‘It’s too early to tell. Arsenal and City have won all their games but there are still so many games left,’ Alonso said.

‘You realise how tough it is to win. You get punished when you’re not at your best level.’

Alonso was also asked about the latest change in Chelsea’s ownership structure after Todd Boehly and Mark Walter agreed to sell their 25 per cent stake in the club to majority shareholders Clearlake Capital in a deal reportedly valuing the club at £5 billion.

The Chelsea manager welcomed the development but stressed that the club’s long-term ambitions will require patience.

‘I think it is an important day for the club when there is an important change in the structure of the club. I want to thank the former owners for what they have done. I know they have played an important role,’ Alonso said.

‘It is good that Behdad is now in full control. I have a good relationship with Behdad. He spoke to convince me to join. We move on together.

‘That’s why we are here, to get into that position, knowing the competition that we have, but for sure the ambition of the club, the potential of the club, the players, where we are.

‘We know where we want to be. Everything takes time.’