Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso on Tottenham’s Big Test in Pre-Match Presser

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Xabi Alonso spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League Matchweek 8 game against Tottenham Hotspur. The match is at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 24 October 2026, kick-off 5.30pm, with Chris Kavanagh as referee.

The Chelsea head coach covered the derby atmosphere, the fitness of Gusto, Chavarría, Emegha and Martínez, and the level of Mike Penders in training. Chelsea are fourth with 13 points from seven games. Tottenham are 16th with six points.

Derby significance

“Every derby is special.”

What he said

Alonso was asked about the significance of facing Tottenham and answered briefly, treating the fixture as a derby like any other.

What he meant

The short answer suggests he does not want to treat this match differently from the rest of the schedule. The league table gives it extra context: Chelsea are fourth and Tottenham 16th, with seven points between them.

Derby atmosphere and energy

“You feel the energy, the excitement from the stands. We need that energy to be used on the pitch.”

What he said

Alonso spoke about the atmosphere at a derby and how he wants his players to respond to it.

What he meant

His message is about channelling the occasion rather than being overwhelmed by it. Chelsea have won their last two matches, 5-1 against Bournemouth at home and 2-0 at Everton, so he is asking his players to carry that form into a charged atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Gusto and Chavarría fitness

“Malo is fine. Pep is training a little bit more, but he is not going to make it.”

What he said

Alonso gave an update on two players. Malo Gusto is fit, while Pep Chavarría is increasing his training but will not be available for the Tottenham game.

What he meant

Gusto is not on Chelsea’s absence list, which fits with Alonso calling him fine. Chavarría is listed with an unknown injury and joins Jamie Gittens (ankle), Reece James (knee surgery), Emiliano Martínez (broken jaw) and Emmanuel Emegha (fitness) among the absentees.

Emegha comeback progress

“He is feeling better, but we need to wait,”

What he said

Asked about Emmanuel Emegha, Alonso said the player is improving but gave no date for a return.

What he meant

Emegha is listed as out with a fitness issue, and Alonso’s words point to a gradual return rather than a quick one. He is not expected to be involved on Saturday.

Martínez surgery recovery

“He had the surgery and day by day he is feeling better, but we still need to wait. A few weeks. Hopefully, less than more, but we need to wait.”

What he said

Alonso confirmed that Emiliano Martínez, who is listed with a broken jaw, has had surgery and is recovering. He put the wait at a few weeks, hoping for the shorter end of that range.

What he meant

Alonso is offering a rough timeline but declining to commit to one. Martínez will not feature against Tottenham, and the wait he describes covers several matches beyond it.

Penders training level

“He’s been training well. He has shown he has a good level. When he came on, in a few minutes, he showed his personality and qualities. That is why we have a squad to be ready for these situations.”

What he said

Alonso praised Mike Penders’ work in training and referred to the impression he made in the minutes he has played.

What he meant

The comment about having a squad ready for these situations reads as backing for his depth, at a time when Chelsea have five players listed as unavailable. It does not confirm his team selection for Saturday.

Penders and Courtois similarities

“A lot of similarities. Not just the nationality, but the stature. I spoke with Thibaut as well at the World Cup. He said himself he could see resemblances with Mike.”

What he said

Alonso was asked about comparisons between Penders and Thibaut Courtois. He pointed to their shared nationality and stature, and said he had spoken to Courtois at the World Cup.

What he meant

Alonso is passing on Courtois’s own view rather than offering a judgement of his own. It shows the two have spoken about Penders, but it says nothing about Saturday’s line-up.

Confidence check: Measured

Alonso sounded measured. He gave straightforward fitness updates and spoke about the derby in terms of energy and focus rather than the opposition. He made no direct comment on Tottenham’s form in the quotes provided.

The numbers give him reasons for belief. Chelsea are fourth with 17 goals scored and 13 conceded in seven games, and have won their last two matches by a combined 7-1. Tottenham have scored six and conceded 10, with one win and three draws, and also have three players out injured.

Chelsea’s absence list is longer than Tottenham’s, though, and Alonso’s repeated references to waiting on returns, together with his remark on squad depth, suggest he is planning around those gaps.

How to watch

Chelsea vs Tottenham kicks off at 5.30pm UK time on Saturday 24 October, live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event, NOW. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.

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