Xabi Alonso urges Chelsea to maintain composure against Tottenham

Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has called for his players to balance passion with composure ahead of their London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Alonso, in his first encounter with the historic rivalry, noted the team's recent good form, scoring seven goals in victories against Bournemouth and Everton. He emphasized the need for emotional control and indicated that the midfield battle would be critical for success. Alonso believes that maintaining clarity and discipline is essential, particularly in high-pressure matches. The London derby kicks off at 17:30 BST, and it signals the start of a challenging week for Chelsea, which includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester United.

• 3:13 PMYahoo Sports — Passions high! Alonso tells Blues stars to use derby fire to extinguish Spurs at Stamford Bridge