Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season itinerary with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad, a result that offered a mixed bag of impressions for new boss Xabi Alonso. The match gave further insight into the tactical shape the Blues may adopt for their Premier League opener against Fulham, while also highlighting the reactions of supporters to recent signings and transfer speculation. For the third consecutive friendly, Alonso opted for a back three, mirroring the fluid 3‑4‑3 system that brought him a Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024. The formation saw the British‑record signing Morgan Rogers and French centre‑back Maxence Lacroix make their first appearances for the club.
Rogers made an immediate impact, tapping in a goal after just ten minutes, but Chelsea struggled to find a rhythm in the opening half. Their defensive line sat deep, and the team failed to press the technically adept La Liga side, allowing Sociedad to earn a deserved equaliser before the break.
Jon Mikel Aramburu produced a superb volley after forcing goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a series of saves, restoring parity at the interval. Alonso made no changes at halftime, and the shift in intensity was palpable. Within two minutes of the restart, João Pedro rose to meet a Reece James cross and headed home, restoring Chelsea’s lead. The Brazilian striker continued to menace the defence and capped the night with his seventh pre‑season goal, a composed finish that underscored his growing confidence.
The second half also featured a contentious moment for Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder entered the fray in the 62nd minute, only to be met with a chorus of boos from a segment of the crowd, a reaction tied to persistent rumours linking him with Manchester City. Yet the same supporters soon turned their chant into a supportive sing‑along, demonstrating the divided sentiment surrounding the player.
Beyond the on‑field action, Sky Sports reported a flurry of transfer chatter. French defender Tosin Khalil, who was omitted from the squad against Sociedad, is attracting interest from Marseille and Benfica. Strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are expected to depart within the next fortnight after missing the friendly, while winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be sent out on loan and Pedro Neto is also listed as a possible exit.
These rumours suggest a significant reshaping of the squad ahead of the new campaign. Alonso’s tactical evolution has been evident throughout the summer. He began with a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the first two friendlies, but after a dominant 3‑0 win over AC Milan using a 3‑4‑3, the back‑three appears to be his preferred setup.
The system is highly adaptable; during the Sociedad game, Chelsea occasionally resembled a four‑man defence as Moisés Caicedo dropped deeper to collect the ball while Wesley Fofana drifted wide on the right. Wing‑backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra were effectively integrated into a back five, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards, providing the attacking impetus. The first‑half shortcomings were clear: a low block, limited pressing, and an inability to close down the opposition quickly enough. The distance between the forwards and the midfielders left large gaps for Sociedad to exploit, resulting in the equaliser.
After the interval, Alonso instructed his side to push higher up the pitch, compressing the space and making the press more effective. The back three began to dominate the midfield line, and the wing‑backs forced the opposition wingers back, creating more possession opportunities for the Blues. While the back three has shown promise, it remains a work in progress.
Alonso retains the flexibility to revert to a four‑man defence if required, and even after a series of substitutions in the second half, the three‑centre‑back structure persisted, indicating his confidence in the arrangement. Enzo Fernández’s reception encapsulated the mixed feelings surrounding his future.
Less than 24 hours after Manchester City missed Chelsea’s self‑imposed 5 pm deadline to submit a bid, the Argentine midfielder entered the field to a blend of boos and cheers. Recent speculation links him with Real Madrid, a destination he hinted at in April, which led to his temporary omission from the first team.
Fans’ reactions may have been influenced by his recent World Cup performances for Argentina, where he featured prominently against England and Spain, or by frustration over his potential move to a direct rival. As the match progressed, the boos subsided and chants of “Oh Enzo Fernández” grew louder, suggesting a growing acceptance among the supporters. Fernández remains a pivotal figure in Alonso’s plans. His ability to dictate tempo and link play will be essential for Chelsea’s ambitions, and consistent performances will be the best way for him to win over any doubters.
João Pedro, meanwhile, arrives at the start of the season in scorching form. After being overlooked for the World Cup, the striker has responded with seven goals in five pre‑season outings, positioning himself as Chelsea’s de‑facto No 9. However, his prominence is partly a result of limited alternatives; Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap were absent from the squad, and veteran Danny Welbeck was also omitted. This scarcity forces Alonso to rely heavily on Pedro for the full 90 minutes, a gamble given the lack of depth up front.
The potential exits of Delap and Jackson raise questions about Chelsea’s recruitment strategy. While the club has been active in the transfer market, the forward line still appears thin, highlighting a need for further signings to provide genuine competition and cover.
Chelsea’s Premier League campaign kicks off on Monday Night Football against Fulham on 24 August at 8 pm, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The pre‑season schedule that led to the Sociedad encounter included a 6‑4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, a 1‑2 loss to Tottenham, a 0‑1 defeat to Juventus, a 3‑0 win over AC Milan, and a 3‑3 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim, showcasing a mixture of high‑scoring affairs and tight contests that have helped shape the team’s tactical identity. As the Blues prepare for their first competitive match, the key take‑aways are clear: the 3‑4‑3 formation offers both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity, the back three is adaptable but still being fine‑tuned, and the squad’s attacking options need reinforcement to avoid over‑reliance on a single striker. How Alonso balances these elements will determine whether Chelsea can translate their pre‑season promise into a successful Premier League season.