Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season itinerary with a 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad, a result that offered a glimpse of the tactical shape Xabi Alonso may employ when the Premier League campaign kicks off against Fulham. The match served as a laboratory for Alonso’s preferred 3‑4‑3 system, a formation that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen during their 2024 Bundesliga triumph, and it also marked the debut of two new signings: Morgan Rogers, the club’s record‑breaking acquisition, and centre‑back Maxence Lacroix.
The game began with Chelsea deploying a back three for the third consecutive friendly, a clear signal that Alonso is comfortable with the three‑man defence. Rogers made an immediate impact, finding the back of the net after just ten minutes with a simple tap‑in that gave the hosts an early lead. However, the early optimism was short‑lived. Chelsea struggled to find rhythm in the first half, sitting too deep and failing to press the technically adept LaLiga side.
Their inability to close down the opposition allowed Sociedad to win a free‑kick, and Jon Mikel Aramburu responded with a superb volley that leveled the scores before the break. The halftime interval proved pivotal. Alonso made no changes to his starting eleven, but the team emerged from the dressing room with a noticeably higher line and a renewed willingness to press. Within two minutes of the second half, Reece James delivered a low cross that João Pedro met with a precise header, restoring Chelsea’s lead.
The Brazilian forward then added a seventh pre‑season goal for the club later in the half, finishing confidently after a swift move that caught the defence out of position. Enzo Fernández’s cameo added another layer of drama. Brought on in the 62nd minute, the Argentine midfielder was greeted by a chorus of boos from a section of the crowd, a reaction linked to ongoing transfer speculation linking him with Manchester City. Yet the same supporters soon turned their displeasure into chants of his name, creating a mixed but ultimately supportive atmosphere.
Fernández’s presence underscores his importance to Alonso’s plans, despite the external noise surrounding his future. Alonso’s tactical experimentation has been evident throughout the summer.
After starting the first three friendlies with a 4‑2‑3‑1, he switched to a 3‑4‑3 against AC Milan, a match that produced a convincing 3‑0 victory and hinted that the three‑man backline could become his default. The fluidity of the system was on display against Sociedad, where the shape occasionally resembled a four‑defender line: Moisés Caicedo dropped deep to collect the ball, while Wesley Fofana drifted wide on the right, effectively creating a temporary back four. Wing‑backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra were tasked with defensive duties, forming a compact back five when the team lost possession, while inside forwards Rogers and Cole Palmer cut inside to support the attack.
The first‑half shortcomings were clear. Chelsea’s low block left them unable to press high, and the distances between their players and the opposition were too great to mount an effective challenge. In contrast, the second half saw the back three push higher up the pitch, allowing the press to be more aggressive and forcing Sociedad onto the back foot. The midfield trio of Caicedo, Fofana and the newly introduced Fernández began to dominate the central zones, linking defence and attack more fluidly.
While the 3‑4‑3 appears promising, Alonso has emphasized that it remains a work in progress. He possesses a versatile squad capable of reverting to a traditional four‑man defence if required, and even after a flurry of substitutions in the second half, the back three stayed intact, suggesting confidence in the structure. Charlotte Marsh of Sky Sports highlighted the mixed reaction to Fernández, noting that the player arrived on the pitch less than 24 hours after Manchester City missed Chelsea’s self‑imposed deadline to submit a bid.
Rumours now suggest Fernández will remain at Chelsea for the 2026/27 season, despite Real Madrid also being linked to him after his public admission in April that he dreams of a future move to the Spanish giants – comments that briefly saw him dropped from the first team. The Argentine also featured prominently for Argentina at the World Cup, participating in high‑profile matches against England and Spain, which may have amplified the emotional response from the crowd.
In summary, the friendly provided valuable insight into Alonso’s evolving philosophy. The 3‑4‑3 offers flexibility, allowing wing‑backs to tuck in defensively while inside forwards exploit the half‑spaces. The team’s ability to transition from a deep, passive stance to a high‑pressing, proactive approach within a single half demonstrates tactical adaptability that could serve them well in the Premier League. As the Blues prepare for their opening fixture against Fulham on August 24, fans can expect a side that is still fine‑tuning its shape but possesses the tools to compete at the highest level.
Chelsea’s pre‑season itinerary included a series of international fixtures: a 6‑4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28, a 1‑2 loss to Tottenham in Sydney on August 1, a 0‑1 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5, a 3‑0 triumph over AC Milan in Jakarta on August 8, a 3‑3 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim on August 9, and finally the 3‑1 victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15. The club also ran several promotional campaigns, offering fans the chance to enter free draws for substantial cash prizes through the Super 6 competition.