Xabi Alonso says Chelsea needed "an update" rather than a full reset when he became manager this summer. The 44-year-old signed a four-year contract in May after the Blues finished 10th in the Premier League, parting with Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during a tumultuous season at Stamford Bridge, missing European football for the third time in four seasons.

"Not a reset - it was an update, I would say. To change or to take decisions in another direction," he told Sky Sports. "My main concern is the squad, the team, the players that we have... Those were, for me, the important decisions... Once we agreed we wanted to take one direction, it was about taking decisions."

Alonso has taken charge of six games: two wins, one draw and a defeat in the league, plus two Carabao Cup wins. Next, Chelsea face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.

"If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he said. "What I'm looking for is to reach a good level, good continuity, good solidity... We are in the process."