De Zerbi: New season will be tougher than ever before

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Head coach enjoying first full pre-season as Albion boss.

Charlie Hanson

2023-07-22T06:00:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi's team begin pre-season against Chelsea in Philadelphia.

Roberto De Zerbi has said that his team will find the upcoming campaign tough as they compete in four competitions.

Supporters can look forward to seeing Albion in action in Europe for the first time, but that minimum addition of six games to the calendar will be a real test according to the head coach.

“For me, every day and every training session is a challenge. I think the next year will be tougher because we have to compete in four competitions. We have to be ready to fight in every competition.

“It is an honour for us to play in the Europa League and it is a big challenge because we have to repeat the great season and to repeat it is more difficult than last season.

“We know the challenge but we have ambition and motivation to do better and better.”

The Italian has been pleased with how the early stages of pre-season have gone ahead of our opening game of the Premier League Summer Series on Saturday, as we face Chelsea.

“I am happy for the first part of the pre-season. We are working well. We are trying to help the new players understand the new idea, the new style of play, the new style of football.

“We have to finish the transfer market and we have to wait to understand the new squad, but we are working well and we have no problems.”

He also confirmed the game is too soon for Moises Caicedo, Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson, who only returned for pre-season this week, after international games in the summer break.

“Three days ago, Moises, Pervis and Evan started to work with the group and tomorrow we are going to play an important game.

“It’s a friendly game, but we have to compete and we have to see our level, our condition.”

This pre-season marks Roberto’s first as Albion boss, which is giving him the opportunity to really home in his message – a period of time he wasn’t afforded last season after joining in September.

“I think we had time to work in the past. With the new players we have time to have a meeting during the training, to explain to them the new idea.

“The difference is the time. Last year I had not so much time to work but I have very smart players and for me pre-season is easier.”

Supporters outside of the UK and USA can watch our game against the Blues on the club website, while those in the UK can watch on Sky Sports and fans in the USA can tune in on NBC.