Last Thursday, Alonso had the players in for a full day but also had to settle into his new office, undertake in-house media duties and then take charge of his first training session.
Training has included physical testing, gym work, small-sided games, finishing drills and a mixture of single and double sessions.
Several younger players have been involved, including midfielders Reggie Walsh and Landon Emenalo, winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and defender Calvin Diakite, which has added excitement to the group.
New signings Dastan Satpaev – who has special dispensation from Kairat to train before officially joining on his 18th birthday in August – Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda have also been involved. Recalled loanees Nicolas Jackson and Aaron Anselmino are being assessed as well.
The players took part in a bleep test on Monday, won by Walsh, whose physique has developed significantly. Cole Palmer finished second after an injury-hit season, while teenage forward Estevao Willian was third.
“He wants to be fit,” Alonso said of Palmer, who spent much of last season managing a recurring groin issue.
“He wants to put behind him the injury setbacks he had to cope with last year. He’s special and, if he’s enjoying himself and in a good mood and spirit, he can be a key player for us. So far, so good.”
On Estevao, he added: “We want to be careful with him. So far, he’s feeling better and he’s a very talented player.”
Alonso’s coaching staff is packed with specialists. Ismael Camenforte Lopez, described in Germany as his manager’s “ball butler”, is known for feeding balls into training matches, allowing sessions to be played at a high tempo.
Lopez is expected to play an important role early on, particularly in fitness work.
Assistant coach Alberto Encinas specialises in technical development, while Sebastian ‘Sebas’ Parrilla is Alonso’s right-hand man and the most experienced member of the coaching staff. Benat Labaien combines coaching duties with a cutting-edge video analysis role and is known for using drones and other technology.
Alonso himself is very hands on, often seen taking part in drills, having been described by his former players as almost good enough to still be able to play a role.
