Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season itinerary with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad, a result that offered manager Xabi Alonso further insight into the formation he may employ when the Premier League campaign kicks off against Fulham. The match, while ending in victory, highlighted both the promise and the growing pains of a squad still finding its identity under the new Spanish boss. For the third consecutive friendly, Alonso opted for a back three, echoing the fluid 3‑4‑3 system he perfected at Bayer Leverkusen during their 2024 Bundesliga triumph. The line‑up featured the British‑record signing Morgan Rogers and the recently signed centre‑back Maxence Lacroix, both making their first appearances for the Blues.
Rogers made an immediate impact, tapping in a goal after just ten minutes, but the early optimism was quickly tempered as Chelsea struggled to find rhythm in the first half. The team sat deep, failed to press effectively and allowed the LaLiga side to grow into the game. Real Sociedad deservedly levelled the score 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 the interval, and the second half told a different story.
Chelsea surged forward, with João Pedro heading in from a Reece James cross within two minutes of the restart. The Brazilian striker later added his seventh pre‑season goal with a composed finish, sealing the win.
Yet the evening was not without controversy. Enzo Fernández entered the fray in the 62nd minute and was met with a chorus of boos from a segment of the crowd, a reaction tied to recent transfer speculation linking him with Manchester City. The jeers were balanced by a group of supporters who sang his name, creating a mixed atmosphere that underscored the divided sentiment surrounding the Argentine midfielder.
Additional news items filtered through the coverage: Marseille and Benfica have shown interest in defender Tosin, who was omitted from the matchday squad; forwards Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are expected to depart within the next fortnight after also missing the friendly; winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be sent out on loan; and Pedro Neto remains on the transfer radar. These rumors illustrate the fluid nature of Chelsea's roster as Alonso continues to shape his ideal eleven. Alonso experimented with several formations during the summer.
After deploying a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the first three friendlies, he switched to a 3‑4‑3 against AC Milan—a match that produced a convincing 3‑0 win and may signal his preferred system for the league opener. The 3‑4‑3 proved highly adaptable against Real Sociedad; at moments the back three morphed into 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 effectively incorporated into a back five, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards, providing both width and goal threat.
The first half exposed clear deficiencies. Chelsea's low block left them vulnerable, and the distance between the press and the opposition was too great to sustain any meaningful pressure. Once the break arrived, the team lifted its line, pressed higher and forced Sociedad into uncomfortable positions. The back three began to dominate the midfield corridor, and the wing‑backs pressed aggressively, nudging the opposition wingers back into their half.
This shift demonstrated how the 3‑4‑3 can transition from a defensive shell to an attacking engine when executed correctly. Despite the evident progress, the system remains a work in progress. Alonso retained the back three even after a flurry of second‑half substitutions, indicating his belief that the formation offers the right balance of defensive solidity and attacking flexibility.
He also retains the option to revert to a four‑man defence if circumstances demand, showcasing his tactical versatility. Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh reported that Fernández's reception was a direct consequence of Manchester City missing Chelsea's self‑imposed 5 p.m.
deadline to submit a bid for the midfielder. The Argentine is now expected to stay at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 season, although Real Madrid have also been linked with him after he publicly expressed a desire to join the Spanish giants—a comment that saw him dropped from the first team for two matches earlier in the year. The mixed reaction from fans may also be influenced by his involvement in Argentina's World Cup campaign, where he featured prominently against England and Spain, nations that happen to be playing each other on the upcoming Saturday. By the end of the match, the boos subsided and the crowd began chanting "Oh Enzo Fernández," suggesting that while some supporters remain skeptical, many still appreciate his contributions.
Regardless of the vocal split, Fernández remains a pivotal figure in Alonso's plans, and his performances on the pitch will be crucial in winning over doubters. João Pedro, meanwhile, has arrived in red‑hot form. After being overlooked for the World Cup, he has responded with seven goals in five pre‑season outings, cementing his status as Chelsea's primary striker.
His prolific output, however, is partly a function of limited alternatives; with Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap absent amid transfer uncertainty and veteran Danny Welbeck also omitted, Pedro has been forced to shoulder the attacking burden for the full ninety minutes. The potential exits of Delap and Jackson raise questions about Chelsea's recruitment strategy.
While the club has been active in the market, the lack of depth in the forward department remains a concern. Jackson, who thrived alongside Palmer in previous seasons, demonstrated his ability to share the goal‑scoring load, yet the squad still appears thin in a position that demands both creativity and finishing prowess. Chelsea's Premier League debut is set for a Monday Night Football fixture against Fulham on August 24 at 8 p.m., live on Sky Sports.
The summer tour also included a series of high‑profile friendlies: a 6‑4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney, a 1‑2 loss to Tottenham in Sydney, a 0‑1 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong, a 3‑0 triumph over AC Milan in Jakarta, a 3‑3 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim in Johor, and the 3‑1 victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. These matches have provided a valuable testing ground for Alonso's ideas and have highlighted both the strengths and the areas that require refinement as the Blues prepare to embark on a new campaign under their Spanish manager.