Alvaro Arbeloa Calls for More Balance in Fulham Squad Ahead of Chelsea Clash
Alvaro Arbeloa has welcomed Fulham’s summer business but warned his squad still lacks the “balance” needed to attack the new Premier League season.
Three signings are through the door at Craven Cottage ahead of Monday night’s west London derby with Chelsea. Shea Charles has arrived from Southampton, while Spanish duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios have followed Arbeloa from Real Madrid as the new head coach begins to put his stamp on the team.
Yet the gaps are obvious. Issa Diop has not been replaced since his move to Ipswich, leaving Fulham light at centre-back. Higher up the pitch, there is still no clear heir to Harry Wilson, the club’s most reliable source of goals last term.
Speaking at Motspur Park on Friday, Arbeloa made it clear that the recruitment drive cannot stop here.
“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.”
A Chelsea opener is no gentle introduction. Arbeloa’s Fulham tenure begins with a derby and a dugout reunion that would dominate any other narrative.
On the opposite bench will be Xabi Alonso, his close friend, former Spain and Liverpool team-mate, and the man whose job he took when he succeeded him at Real Madrid before being sacked in January. The personal history is rich, but Arbeloa insists sentiment will not cloud his judgement.
“We analyse Chelsea like we did with other teams,” he 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 friendship has stayed strong away from the touchline.
“[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 message is blunt: the relationship can wait. Fulham’s rebuild, and Arbeloa’s Premier League credibility, start under the lights against Chelsea.
