Xabi Alonso spoke tactics and principles ahead of the Chelsea trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

·‘We are looking forward to the intensity’

The Blues returned to winning ways with an emphatic 5-1 rout of Bournemouth after a three-game winless streak in the Premier League.

Two of those results were defeats away from home: a 3-0 loss to Brentford at the GTECH Community Stadium and 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Alonso talked about how he hopes his players produce a better performance on the road this weekend.

“It’s going to be tough at Everton, but we are looking forward to the intensity of the game, a high-demand game, high tempo. I haven't been in the stadium, but they've told me it's a nice one with good atmosphere, so we are looking forward to it.

“I want that we compete and show what it takes to win away Premier League games in tough stadiums where the supporters create a great emotional energy. I want us to deal with that by playing, but by competing as well. For sure, the experience at Brentford is not forgotten.”

·‘We want to play with good balance and control’

The tactical flexibility to find more stability helped Chelsea control the clash against the Cherries last Saturday. Especially if they do not get off to a flying start, there are useful lessons from that victory.

"We want to play with good balance and control and create chances. The attacking power we have is fantastic. We need to be maximising that and be more consistent.

“We want to be flexible, but we also want to be solid whenever we are pressing high, or a little bit lower. We need to think that the distances are right and that the balance is the right one, so we chose that way against Bournemouth. Everton is going to be different. They do many good things and have very good players who have experience. So those principles are important.

“It can be in a 4-4-2, it can be in a 5-2-3, but the distances, how you help and how you have a good balance, this is what you need to defend. After that, what you do with the ball is another thing.”