OFFICIAL: #CFC HAVE KEPT A PREMIER LEAGUE CLEAN SHEET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE MONTHS. Happy Saturday, Blues! 💙

Xabi Alonso on managing squad: "There will be moments for everyone. I understand when they are disappointed after not playing. This is normal. How to deal with them? They need to feel they are important. They need to be ready. When you are given the chance, you have to show..."

Xabi Alonso on Emmanuel Emegha: "He is feeling better. We need to wait."

Xabi Alonso on no midweek games: "We have more time. You can focus on the game in advance, working on specific and general things. We are using the time [well]."

Xabi Alonso on Spurs: "I have seen a good team in bad results. We are expecting a tough game. We need to be prepared. Early days for everything."

Xabi Alonso on #CFC's positive home record vs Spurs: "I knew about it. Tomorrow is another game. We need to prove again that we can continue that run, and knowing it's a special game. We need to play with heart and head."

Xabi Alonso on Roberto De Zerbi: "He has very clear ideas. We will see tomorrow."

Xabi Alonso: "Every game, the midfield is a key part of the game. We have been stronger the last few games. They have a good midfield as well. We need a complete game - defensively, offensively, mentality wise. We are in a good moment."

Xabi Alonso: "Very much. Every derby is special. You feel the energy and excitement from the stands. We need that energy on the pitch. We need to have good emotional control as well. There is a lot of passion. Play football with heart."

Xabi Alonso on similarities between Mike Penders and Thibaut Courtois: "A lot. There are a lot. Not just the nationality. The stature, both left-footed, both dominant in the air. I spoke with Thibaut at the World Cup asking about Mike. He said he could see resemblances."

Xabi Alonso on Mike Penders: "He's ready. He's training well. He showed he has a good level in the cup games. In the few minutes against Everton, he showed his quality and personality. We are fully convinced Mike can play very well."

Xabi Alonso: "Malo [Gusto] is fine. Pep [Chavarria] is still training a bit more, but he's not going to make it."

Xabi Alonso: "Emi is doing better. He had the surgery. We still need to wait. Few weeks. Hopefully less than more. We need to wait. The good thing is, he is feeling better. Considering it was a bad one, he's doing good."

Xabi Alonso has, finally, arrived for his press conference.

Xabi Alonso is running late for his #CFC press conference.

Joao Pedro: "When I arrived [at #CFC], Cole [Palmer] was a great friend to me; he reached out to me and talked to me. I told him I was coming to help, that I didn't want to take his spot - nothing like that. And that's where a friendship was born..." [via @espn]

Joao Pedro: "At #Chelsea I feel very comfortable. It's a different season, with a coach who gives me a lot of confidence, and I think that's a big part of my performance so far this season." [via @espn]

Xabi Alonso will hold his pre-Tottenham Hotspur [h] press conference from 1.30pm [UK] this afternoon.

Liam Delap: “Obviously it’s a bit rubbish going to train away from the [#CFC] group, but I think I’ve got really good people around me…” [via @TeleFootball]

Liam Delap: “You have your ups and downs and I’ll never regret doing anything because it just shapes me as a person. I learned so much from #Chelsea. Sometimes you learn and benefit more when things aren’t going well…” [via @TeleFootball] telegraph.co.uk/football/202…