Alvaro Arbeloa sets new Fulham transfer target as Xabi Alonso talks revealed ahead of Chelsea clash

Alvaro Arbeloa has suggested Fulham have more work to do in the transfer market as they look to improve the ‘balance’ in the squad.

Three fresh faces have come through the door at Craven Cottage ahead of Monday night’s Premier League opener against Chelsea, with Shea Charles arriving from Southampton and the Spaniards Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios following Arbeloa from Real Madrid.

There are still holes in the squad, though. Centre-back Issa Diop is yet to be replaced after his move to Ipswich, and there is no clear successor for Harry Wilson, Fulham’s most reliable source of goals last season.

Speaking from Motspur Park on Friday, Arbeloa said he was pleased with the Cottagers’ business so far this summer, but made clear there was more work to do.

“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.”

To open his Fulham tenure with a west London derby against Chelsea is something of a baptism of fire for Arbeloa.

The match will reunite him with Xabi Alonso, his former team-mate at Spain and Liverpool, and the man he replaced as Real Madrid manager when he was sacked in January.

But Arbeloa was adamant there would be no love lost when he lines up opposite his old friend on the touchline at Craven Cottage.

“We analyse Chelsea like we did with other teams. 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.”

“[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.”

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