Xabi Alonso faced the press in Hong Kong this week and tried to play down the increasing expectations on Chelsea, saying the club’s overarching mission this season was to “have the feeling that we are competitive, that we deserve to fight for important things”. A club does not pay £117 million (US$157.5 million) for a player, as Chelsea have to acquire Morgan Rogers, to finish among the nearly men. Last season, Chelsea’s callow squad took to calling Tosin Adarabioyo, the 28-year-old defender, “uncle”. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso would not be drawn on whether the club’s summer spending meant they had to win a significant trophy this season. Photo: Elson LiThat the Manchester United team Hansen was talking about won the Premier League and FA Cup double does not diminish the former Liverpool defender’s point.