Chelsea have 'big potential to improve' - Alonso

[Getty Images] Xabi Alonso held discreet meetings in London and his hometown of San Sebastian over three weeks in early May to ensure Chelsea was the right fit. "I had a view of Chelsea from the outside," he explained, revealing how carefully he considered the move to Stamford Bridge and the early discussions with sporting directors about his vision for the club. "I could see the positives and my concerns, so I addressed them. We had the same ideas, the same analysis, to start building momentum together. That is why we are taking these steps together and making decisions to build a good team." That vision extends to the signing of £117m forward Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa . He was Chelsea's first-choice attacking target and was secured despite interest from Premier League champions Arsenal . "We have taken a few steps but I feel that we can still take a few more," Alonso said when asked about the backing he has received. As ever at this time of year, Chelsea are open for business. There is genuine excitement around the arrival of striker Danny Welbeck, 35, who will now join the squad for pre-season. Midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, is also set to arrive after Chelsea were unable to secure Alonso's former Bayer Leverkusen captain Granit Xhaka from Sunderland . It is a senior revolution at the Premier League's youngest team. Chelsea have previously suffered from indiscipline, a perceived softness defending set-pieces and, perhaps most importantly, a lack of leadership and dressing-room culture. "You need the right balance of personalities and stages of maturity, with players in their early 20s, early 30s and everything in between," Alonso said of reshaping of his squad. Culture is another area Alonso knows he needs to address. "In the Basque Country, we have a strong sense of collective purpose and culture," he said. "The situation was not as bad as it looked at the end of last season," he said when explaining why he took the job. "There is big potential to improve and let's see how long it takes." One month into the role, Alonso is encouraged that much of what he hoped would happen is already taking shape. Yet there remains an element of the unknown as he looks to leave his mark on one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, this time as a manager rather than a player. "For sure, it had to come a lot from here," he said, pointing first to his heart and then to his head. "And also from here," he added, pointing to his stomach. "It has to come from the gut. I felt it was good timing for the club and good timing for myself. It was a good opportunity and I felt I had the chance to enjoy being a manager." Read more on Alonso's journey to Chelsea here