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Chelsea’s first pre-season report: Early lessons from Xabi Alonso’s debut
29th July, 2026 02:40 PM
Xabi Alonso’s first outing as Chelsea manager ended in an entertaining 6-4 victory over Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers, giving supporters an early glimpse of what could lie ahead under the Spaniard on Tuesday, July 28, 2026..
Rather than relying on an experienced lineup, Alonso handed opportunities to several youngsters, naming only four established senior players in his starting XI. The youthful side struggled for consistency during the contest, falling behind on three separate occasions before producing a strong finish to secure victory.
Although the defensive display left room for improvement, the friendly offered plenty of encouraging signs. Alonso admitted after the match that the encounter had given him valuable insight into his squad as preparations for the new season continue.
Players who made the biggest impression
Joao Pedro emerged as the star of the evening after producing a sensational nine-minute hat-trick that ultimately settled the contest.
Beyond his three goals, the Brazilian also showcased his creativity by weaving past multiple defenders before providing a simple finish for Jamie Gittens, highlighting his ability to influence matches in different ways.
Gittens also enjoyed a productive outing. Playing his first match in several months, the winger looked lively throughout and appeared comfortable under Alonso, who has admired him since his time managing Bayer Leverkusen while Gittens was developing at Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea’s academy talents also seized their opportunities.
Sixteen-year-old midfielder Reggie Watson was one of the standout performers after completing the entire match. Despite experiencing a few difficult moments, he displayed composure, energy and quality in midfield, while also creating chances that deserved better finishing from teammates.
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen produced an encouraging display on the right wing, but another teenager, 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev, perhaps generated the most excitement among Chelsea supporters.
The highly rated Kazakh forward opened the scoring within six minutes after being played through on goal, calmly beating the goalkeeper with a composed finish that reflected maturity well beyond his age.
What the match revealed about Alonso’s Chelsea
One of the biggest surprises from the opening friendly was Alonso’s tactical setup.
Instead of the widely expected 3-4-2-1 formation, Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system. With several first-team players still unavailable following their World Cup commitments, the manager’s selection may have been influenced by the personnel currently at his disposal rather than representing his long-term tactical blueprint.
Even so, the decision suggested Alonso is prepared to adjust his approach to suit the players available. It may also reflect the current lack of a natural midfield partner for Moises Caicedo.
Summer arrival Marco Palestra, who had been viewed primarily as cover for left-back Marc Cucurella, was instead deployed at right-back, indicating the Italian’s versatility and Alonso’s willingness to experiment during pre-season.
The Chelsea boss also demonstrated a clear intention to evaluate the club’s young prospects. While injuries and absences contributed to those opportunities, the match highlighted the importance Chelsea continue to place on their renowned academy.
Nine players who had never previously started a senior game for the Blues featured during the friendly in Sydney.
Although experienced additions such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck are expected to provide leadership within the squad, giving academy players valuable minutes during pre-season could play a significant role in their long-term development while helping Alonso assess the club’s future options.
