Xabi Alonso names the 5 key Premier League changes since he left Liverpool 17 years ago

Xabi Alonso has been speaking about the state of the Premier League with the competition looking very different to when he was last taking part

Xabi Alonso is relishing the challenge of coming into an unrecognisable Premier League to the one he walked out on in 2009.

Alonso signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge in May - while officially starting his job as Chelsea manager on July 1 - in what is his first job in the Premier League as a manager. The 44-year-old of course made himself a legend at Anfield after playing a huge part in Liverpool's unforgettable 2005 Champions League victory, with the Spaniard scoring the Reds' third goal in the Istanbul final, but left the club in 2009 to join Real Madrid.

Ever since then, Alonso has worked outside of England. So much has changed in England's top flight ever since and last season, the league was widely criticised for being too set-piece-focused with Arsenal, who finished as champions, dominant from dead-ball situations.

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Alonso, though, is excited for the challenge that is ahead of him: "It's changed a lot. I left a long time ago, 2009. The progression and development of the league, of the teams, of the clubs, the coaches, the players. They were good years but I hope I can enjoy it now as a manager.

"We have great qualities to work with. Now for sure, the ones who are training, they are doing well, they have good energy, we are spending time with players from the academy. I didn't know them that well but they have really impressed me. They are young but have top, top, top quality. The Premier League is a very competitive environment."