Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season schedule with a 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad, a result that offered a mixed bag of emotions for the Blues and, more importantly, gave manager Xabi Alonso a chance to showcase the shape he may employ when the Premier League campaign kicks off against Fulham. The match served as a live laboratory for Alonso’s evolving tactical blueprint, while also highlighting the varied reception that new signing Enzo Fernandez received from the Stamford Bridge faithful. For the third consecutive friendly, Alonso deployed a back three, echoing the 3‑4‑5 system that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen when they clinched the 2024 Bundesliga title.
The formation saw the British‑record signing Morgan Rogers and French centre‑back Maxence Lacroix make their debuts side‑by‑side. Rogers made an immediate impact, tapping in a goal inside the opening ten minutes, but the early optimism was tempered by a sluggish first half in which Chelsea appeared overly compact, struggling to press the technically adept LaLiga side. Real Sociedad deservedly levelled before the break when Jon Mikel Aramburu unleashed a superb volley after forcing goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a series of saves. Alonso made no changes at halftime, and the second period was a stark contrast to the first.
A quick cross from Reece James found João Pedro, who headed the ball home within two minutes of the restart. The Brazilian forward later added his seventh pre‑season goal with a tidy finish, cementing his status as the team’s leading striker in the summer series. Amid the improved attacking display, the spotlight shifted to midfield maestro Enzo Fernandez, who entered the fray in the 62nd minute.
His arrival was met with a chorus of boos from a segment of the crowd, a reaction linked to persistent transfer speculation tying him to Manchester City. Yet the same supporters soon turned the tide, chanting his name and offering cheers, underscoring the divided sentiment surrounding the Argentine playmaker. Sky Sports’ correspondents Lyall Thomas and Kaveh Solhekol added further context, noting that clubs such as Marseille and Benfica are circling Chelsea defender Tosin Khalil, who was omitted from the squad for the Sociedad encounter.
Strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are also expected to depart within the next fortnight, having missed the friendly. Winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be sent out on loan, while Pedro Neto remains on the transfer radar as another possible exit.
Alonso’s tactical evolution has been evident throughout the pre‑season. After experimenting with a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the first two games, he switched to a 3‑4‑3 against AC Milan—a match that produced a convincing 3‑0 victory and is widely regarded as the summer’s best performance. The fluidity of his 3‑4‑3 was on full display against Real Sociedad, where Chelsea at times resembled a four‑man defence. Central midfielder Moisés Caicedo dropped deep to collect the ball, while centre‑back Wesley Fofana drifted wide on the right, creating a hybrid shape that confused opposition marking schemes.
The back three’s wing‑backs, Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra, were effectively tucking into a back five during defensive phases, allowing Rogers and Cole Palmer to operate as inside forwards in more advanced positions. This arrangement also suited Lacroix, who thrived in the middle centre‑back role during his tenure at Crystal Palace. However, the first half exposed clear deficiencies: Chelsea sat too low, struggled to exit their own half, and found the distances required to press the Spanish side unmanageable.
The second half saw a dramatic shift as the team pushed higher up the pitch, compressing the space between the lines and applying a more coordinated press that forced Sociedad onto the back foot. Alonso’s system remains a work in progress, but the flexibility of his squad means he can revert to a traditional back four if required.
Even with a flurry of substitutions after the interval, the back three persisted, suggesting that the manager values the structural stability it provides while he fine‑tunes the attacking dynamics. The mixed reaction to Fernandez’s cameo also reflects broader narratives surrounding his future. Less than 24 hours before Manchester City missed Chelsea’s self‑imposed 5 pm deadline to submit a bid, the Argentine’s presence on the pitch sparked both cheers and jeers.
Rumours now indicate that Fernandez 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 harbours a lifelong dream of playing for the Spanish giants—a comment that briefly saw him dropped from the first‑team squad. Fernandez’s recent involvement with Argentina at the World Cup, particularly in high‑profile clashes against England and Spain, added another layer to the fan reaction.
Some supporters may have been reacting to his international exploits, while others perhaps expressed frustration at the prospect of losing a key midfielder to a direct rival. By the end of the match, the boos had largely subsided, replaced by chants of “Oh Enzo Fernandez,” indicating a growing acceptance of his role within the team. Regardless of the vocal divide, Fernandez remains a pivotal figure in Alonso’s plans. His ability to dictate tempo, break lines with incisive passes, and contribute defensively will be essential for the Blues as they aim to re‑establish themselves among England’s elite.
Equally important is the form of João Pedro, who has rebounded from a World Cup omission to net seven goals in five pre‑season outings, cementing his status as Chelsea’s de‑facto No 9, albeit partly due to a lack of depth in the striking department. The absence of Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Danny Welbeck from the squad raises questions about the club’s recruitment strategy.
While Jackson has shown he can shoulder a portion of the attacking burden, the departures of Delap and potential exits of other forwards highlight a lingering vulnerability in the forward line. Chelsea cannot rely solely on Pedro and the veteran Welbeck, especially as they head into a demanding Premier League schedule. Chelsea’s league opener is set for Monday Night Football on August 24, when they travel to Fulham at 8 pm, live on Sky Sports.
The pre‑season itinerary also included a whirlwind tour that saw the Blues play in Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Johor, providing a global showcase for the new squad and giving fans worldwide a taste of what lies ahead. In summary, the 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad offered a glimpse into Xabi Alonso’s evolving tactical identity, highlighted the nuanced fan response to Enzo Fernandez, and underscored both the progress and the challenges that Chelsea will face as they embark on the new campaign.