According to Marca, Alonso's era at Chelsea has officially begun, with the team playing two matches in the Sydney Super Cup, achieving different results and exposing several problems.
Chelsea first defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in a goal-fest, but then lost 1-2 to Tottenham in the London derby, despite having a man advantage for most of the second half. Both matches show that the team still needs a lot of adjustments, but Alonso's coaching philosophy is beginning to emerge.
Chelsea were largely on the back foot against Rangers. They fell behind twice and were only tied 2-2 at halftime, their defense showing clear weaknesses. The game only changed completely after João Pedro came on as a substitute. The striker, sidelined with injury for the 2026 World Cup, scored a hat-trick in nine minutes, helping Alonso secure his first victory in charge. That match also gave young players like Dastan Satpayev, Dario Essugo, and Jamie Byno Gitens a chance to showcase their skills, even though the team had rotated its squad considerably and not all of its key players had yet played.
In these two matches, Alonso tried both the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations, but one thing is clear: Cole Palmer will be the core of this system.
England's midfielders have been involved in almost every attacking play and are likely to operate freely behind the strikers in the future. Ahead of Palmer, João Pedro has already gained an advantage in the competition for the center forward position, ahead of Delap, Jackson, and Emega. Even without a goal against Tottenham, he remains the most dangerous attacking threat and also drew Kevin Danso's red card. On the wings, Estewan continues to live up to expectations after scoring against Tottenham, while Gitens is likely to be the most surprising addition to the team during this preseason.
The England winger, initially considered a poor decision to join last season, seems to have rediscovered his form under Alonso. He has contributed in both matches and is confident about his future. "I want to succeed here. I have to prove myself. I will continue to work hard. I feel I have shown my potential, just in fragments. But this season will be a good one." The former Dortmund player also revealed the advice his new manager gave him: "He wants me to stay positive, keep attacking, create chances, and get stronger. He's a very good person. He talks to us individually and tells us where we can improve. That's what players need most."
On the defensive front, some trends have already emerged. Wesley Fofana seems to still hold a key position, and Leaf Colwell was even appointed captain against Tottenham. Mamadou Sarr has received playing time, but Ben Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Trevor Chalobah haven't played a single minute, suggesting they may soon leave. Maxence Lacroix's arrival will further alter the competition in defense, although Alonso has made it clear he wants to significantly reduce the squad size. "At the start of the season, I hope to have only four or five center-backs," he said at the press conference, implying that several departures are already anticipated. On the left flank, Jorel Hatto has clearly taken the lead, while new signing Palestella is playing on the right, as Marlo Gusto and Reece James are both unavailable.
However, the midfield remains the most pressing issue. The absence of several internationals, including Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo, has forced Alonso to experiment with different pairings. Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia started together against Tottenham, but the results were less than ideal, with Lavia even being substituted at halftime. The formation is also still unresolved: a double pivot behind Cole Palmer currently seems the most likely solution, but Alonso will need to continue searching for the optimal balance once all new signings and key players return. Andre Santos' transfer to Manchester United has further strained this position. Fortunately, Chelsea will welcome Henderson in the next few days, who can strengthen the midfield.
Finally, Mudreik's situation may soon change. The Ukrainian winger, who had been suspended for an extended period due to a positive test for meldonium, has finally been cleared to return. After being exonerated, he stated that he wants to regain his best form as soon as possible. "I've always considered fair play and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity as the most important things. Now my focus is on getting back on the pitch, training hard every day, and making a positive contribution. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me. I can't wait to start a new chapter in my career." Mudreik's return will be a significant addition to Chelsea's squad. He can play as a left wing-back in a five-man defense or take on a more advanced attacking role on the flank, giving him the potential to be a key variable in the new era at Stamford Bridge. Alonso also spoke about his situation on Saturday: "We are happy for him, especially for him personally. Perhaps we can't truly understand what he went through during those moments. We want him to be part of the team. Everyone supports him. He will join the team in Hong Kong."
In other words, Alonso is building a squad that balances experience and youth, and has begun to trust promising young players.
