Mikel Arteta is aiming for back-to-back Premier League titles with Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images) Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is expecting ‘great things’ from the Blues this year, as they are able to focus on the Premier League without European distractions. It was a disappointing campaign last time round at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on any kind of European football for this season. However, Sanchez is looking on the bright side of the situation and sees the positives that will come in their league campaign as a result. The Blues have brought in Xabi Alonso as manager and Sanchez reckons his compatriot will have Chelsea riding high in the Premier League in the near future. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. ‘I think this year is a positive,” he said. “It can be a good thing that we do not have a European tournament, because we can focus on the league. ‘It is good for us as a team and as a squad because we get that time, one game a week, and I have a feeling we can do great things this year. ‘We have a new manager, and we are still trying to understand his game plan, what he wants from us. The most important thing [in pre-season] is everyone is getting minutes and putting in a good effort. The boys have done that. Robert Sanchez has high hopes for Chelsea under Xabi Alonso (Picture: REUTERS) ‘He [Alonso] is not rushing anything. He is checking every game, every area we are doing, and we are slowly integrating new things. Day by day, we are learning more, and we are hopefully getting better game by game.’ Sanchez has come in for criticism during his time at Chelsea, but he looks set to be first choice in goal again this season. The former Brighton stopper says the new manager has filled him with confidence ahead of the new campaign. ‘I feel amazing,’ he said. ‘Xabi has given me all the confidence in the world. Sanchez in pre-season action for Chelsea against AC Milan in Jakarta (Picture: AP Photo) ‘He is allowing me to perform. I know what he wants me to do. He understands the strengths of every individual. He understands my strengths. He is going to allow me to do what I am best at this season. ‘He has brought a different attitude, a lot of calm, into the squad. He is a really calm person. He brings that as a player because he used to play. I like his idea of football. ‘I don’t want to talk too much about it, but I like what he brings to the club and the staff. Everyone that has come is brilliant as well. I have a good feeling.’ Chelsea’s pre-season preparations continued on Sunday with a 3-3 draw with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim, which saw Liam Delap score twice from the penalty spot. The Blues beat AC Milan 3-0 in a friendly on Saturday, so Alonso named an entirely different team against the Malaysian side. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Who’s next? Can they convince Craig Gordon to reverse his recent retirement? Invite Bolo Zenden back for a second spell at Stamford Bridge? Get Kieran Richardson to replace Marc Cucurella? Chelsea really have cooked up a fascinating transfer policy: to recreate the Sunderland XI that triumphed 3-0 at the Bridge in November 2010. Danny Welbeck, 19 and on loan from Manchester United, sealed victory that day; Jordan Henderson, 20 and days away from his England debut, ran things in the middle alongside Lee Cattermole. Sixteen years later, Welbeck and Henderson are teammates once again, brought together by Chelsea’s sudden realisation that Alan Hansen had a point.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
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