Arbeloa Aims for Stronger and More Balanced Fulham
Alvaro Arbeloa has welcomed Fulham’s summer business but warned the squad is still short of the “balance” he wants as he prepares for a fierce Premier League baptism against Chelsea on Monday night.
Arbeloa wants ‘stronger and more balanced’ Fulham
Three signings are through the door at Craven Cottage. Shea Charles has arrived from Southampton, while Spanish duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios have followed Arbeloa from Real Madrid to west London.
It is a start. Not a finished job.
Issa Diop’s departure to Ipswich has left a gap at centre-back, and Fulham have yet to find a clear replacement for Harry Wilson, their most reliable source of goals last season. The spine and the scoring edge both need attention.
Speaking at Motspur Park on Friday, Arbeloa made it clear he is encouraged, but not satisfied.
“I think we can make the squad stronger and more balanced,” he told reporters. “But I am happy with the way the club is working this summer. We have three new players, so we are still working on it.”
The message was calm but pointed: progress, yes; complacency, no.
Chelsea, Alonso and a ruthless reunion
Arbeloa’s first Premier League assignment could hardly be more demanding. A west London derby under the lights, Chelsea in town, and his old friend Xabi Alonso in the opposite dugout.
The pair shared a dressing room with Spain and Liverpool. Arbeloa then stepped into Alonso’s shoes at Real Madrid when Alonso was sacked in January. On Monday, they stand just a few yards apart, each charged with delivering for a new fanbase.
Romance stops at the white line.
“We analyse Chelsea like we did with other teams,” Arbeloa said. “I know [his style of football] well because I watch so many games of his teams, but we know it will not be easy.
“They are a very strong squad with top players. They also made good signings, so we have to be ready if we want to beat them. We need to do a very good game.”
The respect is obvious. So is the edge.
“[I spoke to Alonso] a few days ago. We didn’t talk about football. Our families are coming to London, and we are very good friends.
“On Monday night, we will be there on the touchline, so close for 90 minutes. We will give everything for our clubs. We will try to win the games. For 90 minutes, like he said, we are not friends.
“That is the most important thing. We want to win that game. It will be so important if we win against Chelsea. The only thing I can think about is our performance, to be ready to play. We are working very, very hard.”
The derby, the reunion, the backdrop of an incomplete squad: Arbeloa walks into the Premier League with no illusions and no soft launch. Now Fulham must show whether all that hard work can bridge the gaps he still sees.
