'We want the best specialists' - Alonso on MacPhee

[Getty Images] New manager Xabi Alonso says Chelsea want the "best possible specialists" after hiring set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa. The Blues agreed a compensation fee for the Scottish coach, who oversaw positive performances in attacking and defending set-pieces under Unai Emery at Villa Park. MacPhee joined Chelsea at the end of July and has immediately taken a prominent role in Chelsea's back room staff. In an interview with the Men In Blazers Network, Alonso spoke about MacPhee for the first time and said: "We want to have the best possible specialists in their departments. "For sure, Austin has experience in the Premier League. For the staff, for us, it is going to be challenging to learn quick and adapt to the Premier League as well. "So to have Austin around, Ben (Roberts), other people that were here last year with these fresh experiences from the Premier League and knowing what it takes to win games and to prepare for each game - it helps a lot. "We are happy that Austin is now with us." Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign away at Fulham on Monday next week.