Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season programme with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad, a match that offered manager Xabi Alonso a valuable glimpse into the shape his side may adopt for the Premier League opener against Fulham. The game highlighted both the promise of Alonso's evolving system and the mixed feelings surrounding new signing Enzo Fernandez.
For the third consecutive friendly, Alonso deployed a back three, echoing the fluid 3‑4‑3 formation that brought Bayer Leverkusen the Bundesliga title in 2024. The lineup featured British record signing Morgan Rogers and French centre‑back Maxence Lacroix, both making their first appearances for the Blues. Rogers made an immediate impact, slipping a tap‑in past the keeper after just ten minutes.
Despite the early lead, Chelsea struggled to impose themselves in the opening half, sitting deep and failing to press the technically proficient LaLiga side. Real Sociedad deservedly levelled before the break when Jon Mikel Aramburu unleashed a superb volley, forcing goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a series of saves. Alonso made no changes at the interval, and the Blues emerged with renewed purpose. Within two minutes of the restart, Reece James delivered a pinpoint cross that João Pedro headed home.
Pedro, who has been in blistering form throughout the summer, capped the performance with his seventh pre‑season goal, a composed finish that underscored his growing status as Chelsea's go‑to striker. However, the most talked‑about moment came in the 62nd minute when Enzo Fernandez entered the fray. His introduction was met with a chorus of boos from a section of the crowd, a reaction linked to recent transfer speculation linking him with Manchester City.
At the same time, another group of supporters rose to their feet, chanting his name and showing their appreciation for the Argentine midfielder. The reaction to Fernandez reflects the broader uncertainty surrounding several players on Chelsea's roster.
Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas and Kaveh Solhekol reported that clubs such as Marseille and Benfica are monitoring defender Tosin. The centre‑back was omitted from the squad against Sociedad, fueling rumors of a possible exit.
Strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson have also been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge after missing the friendly, while winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be sent out on loan. Pedro Neto, another versatile attacker, is also rumored to be on the market. Alonso's tactical experiments have been evident across the three pre‑season fixtures.
After starting with a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the earlier games, he switched to a 3‑4‑3 against AC Milan, a match that produced a convincing 3‑0 victory and may indicate the system he intends to carry forward. The 3‑4‑3 at Stamford Bridge appeared fluid, at times resembling a four‑man defence as Moises Caicedo dropped deeper to collect the ball and Wesley Fofana drifted wide on the right. Wing‑backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra were tucked into a back five, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards, providing width and creativity.
The first half exposed some shortcomings in the new set‑up. Chelsea's low block made it difficult to transition quickly, and the distance between the back three and the opposition's midfield left large gaps that Sociedad exploited. After the break, Alonso pushed his side higher up the pitch, tightening the press and forcing the Spanish visitors into uncomfortable positions.
The back three began to dominate the midfield line, while the wing‑backs pressed aggressively, compelling the Sociedad wingers to retreat. Although the formation is still a work in progress, Alonso now has the flexibility to revert to a traditional back four if required. Even after a flurry of second‑half substitutions, the back three remained intact, suggesting that he values the balance it provides between defensive solidity and attacking width.
Enzo Fernandez's reception was a microcosm of the broader fan sentiment. Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh noted that the boos arrived less than 24 hours after Manchester City missed Chelsea's self‑imposed 5 pm deadline to submit a bid for the midfielder. Despite the vocal dissent, Fernandez is expected to stay at Chelsea for the 2026/27 season, with Real Madrid also linked to his name after the Argentine publicly expressed a desire to join the Spanish giants—a comment that briefly saw him dropped from the first team.
Fernandez's recent involvement in Argentina's World Cup campaign, particularly the high‑profile clashes against England and Spain, may have added another layer to the crowd's reaction. Some supporters might have been reacting to his international performances, while others could have been disgruntled by the prospect of him moving to a direct rival. As the match progressed, the boos subsided and chants of "Oh Enzo Fernandez" grew louder, indicating a shift toward appreciation.
Regardless of the mixed reception, Fernandez remains a pivotal figure in Alonso's plans. His ability to link play, break lines, and contribute defensively makes him a cornerstone of the midfield. Consistent performances on the pitch will be the most effective way for him to win over any remaining skeptics.
João Pedro, meanwhile, appears to be in red‑hot form heading into the new campaign. After being omitted from the World Cup squad, he has responded with seven goals in five pre‑season appearances, cementing his status as Chelsea's primary number nine, albeit partly due to a lack of depth in the striking department. The absence of Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap, both of whom were left out of the squad amid speculation about their futures, forced Alonso to rely heavily on Pedro for the full 90 minutes. While veteran striker Danny Welbeck also missed the match, his experience will still be valuable as a backup option.
The uncertainty surrounding Delap and Jackson raises questions about Chelsea's recruitment strategy. Despite an active transfer window, the club still appears thin in certain areas, particularly in attack. Jackson, who shone during Cole Palmer's best seasons, has shown he can shoulder a portion of the goal‑scoring burden, but the team will need additional firepower to compete on multiple fronts. Chelsea's Premier League campaign kicks off on Monday Night Football against Fulham at 8 pm on August 24, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The club's summer itinerary also includes fixtures against Western Sydney Wanderers, Tottenham, Juventus, AC Milan, and Johor Darul Ta'zim, offering further opportunities for Alonso to fine‑tune his tactics and integrate new signings before the season proper begins. In summary, the 3‑1 victory over Real Sociedad provided a valuable test of Xabi Alonso's preferred 3‑4‑3 formation, highlighted João Pedro's goal‑scoring prowess, and underscored the divided fan reaction to Enzo Fernandez. As the Blues prepare for their Premier League opener, the managerial staff will continue to adapt their system, while the players aim to translate pre‑season momentum into consistent performances throughout the campaign.