Arbeloa and His Relationship With Xabi Alonso: “For 90 Minutes, We Won’t Be Friends”

Álvaro Arbeloa praised the signings of Gonzalo García and César Palacios, but made it clear that his friendship with Xabi Alonso will be put aside for 90 minutes when Fulham and Chelsea meet.

Álvaro Arbeloa, manager of Fulham, expressed his delight with the arrivals of Gonzalo García and César Palacios, both from Real Madrid. The Spanish coach believes the two young players have the talent and ambition needed to contribute to his new project at the London club.

“They are young players, with a lot of talent and ambition. They fit the way we want to play and they know what I expect from them. I am very happy to have them here with me,” Arbeloa said.

The manager is looking to keep Fulham in the Premier League after the excellent work done in recent seasons by Marco Silva, who left the club to take charge of Benfica.

Arbeloa acknowledged the importance of his predecessor’s work, but made it clear that a new chapter has now begun.

“Marco did a great job. The players here were happy and comfortable with him, but now a new era begins. I know what I want and how I want to do it, but I also know how difficult this league is. I think we will be a difficult team to beat,” he said.

A friendship that will be put on hold

Monday’s match between Fulham and Chelsea will have an additional special element because of the personal relationship between Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.

The two Spaniards are close friends, and their families also share a strong relationship. However, when their teams meet, all of that will temporarily be put aside.

“I spoke to Xabi a few days ago, but not about football. Our families are coming to London. We are very good friends, but for 90 minutes we will give everything for our clubs,” the Fulham manager explained.

He was even more direct when describing what will happen during the match:

“For 90 minutes, we won’t be friends, because we both want to win this game.”

The clash between Fulham and Chelsea will therefore not only be a battle between two Premier League teams, but also a meeting between two longtime friends who, for 90 minutes, will have just one objective: to win.