Robert Sanchez said everyone at Chelsea is looking forward to next season under Xabi Alonso, after a "lot of factors" held them back throughout this campaign.

Chelsea beat local rivals Tottenham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, a result that means Roberto De Zerbi's men could still be relegated on the final matchday.

And for the Blues, European qualification remains a possibility, although Champions League football is beyond them with their ambitions limited to overhauling Brighton in seventh.

Chelsea have had a disrupted campaign off the back of winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in 2025, sacking Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, and ending the season under the interim tutelage of Calum McFarlane.

But after the announcement that Alonso – who won an unbeaten domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen only two seasons ago – will take the reins for 2026-27, Sanchez is excited.

"We're very happy. I think it's good in front of the fans at home. It had been a long time coming," he told Sky Sports.

"It's good to finish like this. We know if we get six points from the next two games – and we've got three already – we still have a chance to hopefully qualify. I'm very happy.

"I think they got a bit of luck with the goal. We just needed to keep it the same as the other 60 or 70 minutes. We did that and they didn't get any other chances."

Asked about the importance of a win in their final home game, Sanchez added: "There have been a lot of changes, a lot of ups and downs. 

"It's been difficult for us to try to keep it consistent because of a lot of factors. But the boys, they do the best that they can. We are happy and looking forward to next season."

Midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos were on the scoresheet for Chelsea, with Richarlison's late goal not enough to tee up a comeback from Spurs.

Sanchez also made a big contribution at 0-0, denying Mathys Tel what appeared to be a certain goal when he tipped the Frenchman's header onto the upright.

But when asked about that save, the Spaniard said: "It was a horrible save, I hated it. It hit the post, it hit my hand. 

"The boys performed. A couple of changes from training, a couple of injuries. The boys were brilliant. We're very happy."

Now unbeaten in eight such games (W6 D2), Chelsea are on their longest undefeated run in home London derbies in the Premier League since 2013 to 2015, and a streak of 13. 

Their victory was their first in the league since March (4-1 versus Aston Villa), having failed to win any of their previous seven (D1 L6). They visit Sunderland on the final day.