Marcos Alonso motivated by ‘must-win’ Spurs game, World Cup hopes

It is well known by this point that Chelsea’s eight-game run to end their Premier League season will be a defining moment not only for the present, but also the future as missing out on the Champions League could really hinder the team in keeping up with the rest of England’s top sides. To avoid this predicament, Chelsea will need to take the most points out of every match ahead of them while facing two direct rivals for a top-four spot in Tottenham and Liverpool.

The latter are just ahead of the former at the moment, but it is Spurs who come to town on Sunday on great form — 11 win and a 13-match unbeaten run. Despite the history of Spurs’ futility at Stamford Bridge, they will undoubtedly be a great challenge to overcome for Marcos Alonso & Co. But overcome we must, if we are to have any hopes of finishing in the top-four.

“It is definitely a must-win game. Here at Chelsea, we have to fight until the end for every target we can achieve, and next year we have to be in the Champions League. On Sunday, we have to get a win.

“It’s a massive game. We have a very important target, which is arriving at the end of the season in top four. Starting on Sunday, it’s the first important three points for us. It’s not over until its’ mathematically impossible, but it would be very difficult for sure if we lost.”

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“I don’t think the past will have an influence. I don’t like stats, I think it will be a different game and we will have to give everything and be fully focused to get the three points.”

For Alonso, who made his long-awaited debut for the Spanish national team this week, the possibility of making the World Cup squad this summer will serve as extra motivation, too, for the rest of the club season.

“It was a very important day for me. I’m very happy for it, I’m proud to represent my country at a senior level, and I think it’s a reward for the good work I’ve been doing in the last few years. I just have to keep working to keep going with it.

“It’s a massive motivation. With the World Cup just round the corner, it’s very important to finish the season well, then we’ll see the decision the manager takes.”

-Marcos Alonso; Source: Sky Sports

Another goal like in the first meeting this season certainly would not go amiss for either Chelsea’s top-four or Alonso’s World Cup hopes. Make it so!