July 13 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants to see greater hunger and a desire to improve from his players as he prepares for his first Premier League season in charge.
Chelsea finished tenth in the league last season following a disappointing, trophyless campaign and failed to qualify for European competition.
"We need hunger, passion, we need to want to improve," Alonso told reporters on Monday.
"The Premier League is so competitive. We need to prepare ourselves, we need to be determined in the details, in how we want to play. But the most important bit is our game."
SQUAD CHANGES
Alonso also addressed the future of winger Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as the club look to reshape their squad.
"There is interest in him from other clubs, so let's see how this develops. Hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all parties," he said.
Garnacho struggled for form after his move from Manchester United, scoring one Premier League goal in 24 appearances last season.
Alonso declined to discuss midfielder Enzo Fernandez's long-term future in detail but said he had spoken with the Argentina international and hoped to keep him at the club.
Chelsea have made only one major signing so far in the transfer window, bringing in right back Marco Palestra from Serie A side Atalanta on a deal running until 2033.
"He has many great qualities for modern football. He can play in a back four or a back five, on the left. We need to keep working with him to adapt to the Premier League. He has a great mentality in terms of competitiveness and his hunger," Alonso said.
Chelsea completed the sale of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos earlier on Monday.
Alonso said Chelsea's absence from European competition next season would not significantly alter his plans for the new campaign.
"Small details, for sure, but the main focus for how we want to start in August does not change much," he said.
"We are working with the sporting directors. What we need to reinforce is clear, but we are working on it."
Alonso's appointment marks a return to English football for the Spaniard, who made 210 appearances for Liverpool before joining Real Madrid in 2009 and ended his playing career at Bayern Munich in 2017.
The Spaniard began his coaching career in Real Madrid's academy before taking charge of Real Sociedad's reserve side.
He spent seven months as Real Madrid coach, after an impressive stint with Bayer Leverkusen, before he left by mutual agreement in January following a poor run of results.
At Chelsea, he inherits a side seeking stability after a turbulent campaign in which they changed managers twice, with Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior both departing. Rosenior was sacked in April following a run of seven defeats in eight matches in all competitions.
The 44-year-old Alonso said one of his priorities was to establish a clear identity and unite the squad ahead of the new season.
"To be part of that process, how we want to play, how we want to approach a game, that's my goal," Alonso said. "That's what I am looking forward to with the whole squad."
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at Fulham on August 24.
(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)
