Alvaro Arbeloa is preparing for an early examination of his managerial credentials as Fulham host Chelsea, in a fixture that will see him go head-to-head with close friend and former international team-mate Xabi Alonso.
The west London derby represents a significant early test for Arbeloa, who succeeded Alonso as Real Madrid manager after his sacking in January. The two men played together for both Liverpool and the Spanish national team, and their bond extends well beyond football.
Speaking to reporters at Fulham's Motspur Park training base on Friday, Arbeloa was quick to stress that despite the friendship, there would be no sentimentality once the match kicks off. "On Monday night, we will be there on the touchline, so close for 90 minutes. We will give everything for our clubs. We will try to win the games. For 90 minutes, like he said, we are not friends," he explained.
Arbeloa revealed that he and Alonso had spoken recently, though football was not on the agenda. "I spoke to Alonso a few days ago. We didn't talk about football. Our families are coming to London, and we are very good friends," he said, before reiterating his competitive focus for matchday. "That is the most important thing. We want to win that game. It will be so important if we win against Chelsea. The only thing I can think about is our performance, to be ready to play. We are working very, very hard."
The Fulham boss acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by Alonso's Chelsea side, who have strengthened their squad significantly during the transfer window. "We analyse Chelsea like we did with other teams. I know his style of football well because I watch so many games of his teams, but we know it will not be easy," Arbeloa said. "They are a very strong squad with top players. They also made good signings, so we have to be ready if we want to beat them. We need to do a very good game."
Fulham will be without two key figures for the derby, with veteran midfielder Tom Cairney sidelined through injury and defender Joachim Andersen suspended, adding to the difficulty of the task facing Arbeloa's side.
The Spaniard's first months in charge have brought three new arrivals to Craven Cottage, including Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, both of whom followed Arbeloa from his time at Real Madrid. While pleased with progress made in the transfer market so far, Arbeloa admitted there remains work to do before the window closes.
"I think we can make the squad stronger and more balanced," he told reporters. "But I am happy with the way the club is working this summer. We have three new players, so we are still working on it."
Among the areas Fulham still need to address are the centre-back position, following Issa Diop's departure to Ipswich Town, which has left the club without a direct replacement. There is also no obvious like-for-like successor to Harry Wilson, who was Fulham's most productive source of goals last season before his exit.
With the transfer window still open and the derby against Chelsea looming as an early marker for his tenure, Arbeloa faces a demanding start to life as Fulham manager, one that will immediately pit his tactical ideas against those of one of his closest friends in the game.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).