Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season schedule with a 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad, a match that offered manager Xabi Alonso a platform to showcase the tactical shape he may adopt for the club's Premier League debut against Fulham. The game was a blend of promising moments and lingering doubts, providing fans and pundits alike with plenty to dissect. For the third consecutive friendly, Alonso deployed a back three, echoing the fluid 3‑4‑5 system that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen during their 2024 Bundesliga triumph. The formation saw the British‑record signing Morgan Rogers and the newly‑signed centre‑back Maxence Lacroix make their first appearances for the Blues.
Rogers made an immediate impact, tapping in a goal just ten minutes into the encounter, but the team struggled to find rhythm in the opening half. Chelsea sat deep, allowing Sociedad to dictate possession and create the better chances. Their lack of urgency was punished when Jon Mikel Aramburu unleashed a spectacular volley to level the score before the break, after forcing goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a series of saves. The second half told a different story.
Alonso left his starting eleven untouched, but the side emerged with a higher line and a more aggressive press. Within two minutes of the restart, Reece James delivered a pinpoint cross that João Pedro turned into his second goal of the match. Pedro, who has been on a scorching run of form in pre‑season, capped the afternoon with a tidy finish later on, marking his seventh goal in five friendlies. His confidence will be crucial as he vies for the No 9 role in a squad that has seen several attacking options either sidelined or linked with moves away.
Enzo Fernández, however, became the focal point of a mixed reaction when he entered the fray in the 62nd minute. A section of the crowd greeted his substitution with boos, a response tied to ongoing speculation about a possible transfer to Manchester City. Yet the same stands also produced chants of his name, indicating that a significant portion of supporters still hold him in high regard. The duality of the reaction underscores the uncertainty surrounding Fernández's future, especially after City missed Chelsea's self‑imposed 5 p.m.
deadline to submit a bid. Beyond the on‑field action, the match served as a bulletin for several transfer rumors.
Marseille and Benfica have been linked with Chelsea defender Tosin, who was omitted from the squad for the Sociedad game. Strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are expected to depart within the next fortnight, having missed the friendly, while winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be loaned out and Pedro Neto is also rumored to be on the move. These developments hint at a summer of significant turnover for the Blues.
Alonso's tactical experimentation has been evident throughout the pre‑season. After starting with a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the first two friendlies, 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 team's best summer performance.
The 3‑4‑3 proved its versatility against Real Sociedad; at times it resembled a four‑man back line, with Moises Caicedo dropping deep to collect the ball and Wesley Fofana drifting wide on the right. Wing‑backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra were tucked into a five‑man defence, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards, providing the creative spark. The first half highlighted the formation's growing pains.
Chelsea's defensive block was too low, making it difficult to press high up the pitch and leaving large gaps for Sociedad to exploit. The distance between the lines was excessive, limiting the team's ability to win the ball back quickly. In contrast, the second half saw a more elevated defensive line, a tighter press, and increased pressure on the opposition's build‑up. The back three began to dominate the midfield corridor, and the wing‑backs forced the Sociedad wingers to retreat, creating space for the forwards.
Alonso still has the flexibility to revert to a four‑man defence if he deems it necessary, and even a flurry of second‑half substitutions did not alter the back three structure. This adaptability will be vital as the season approaches, especially given the injuries and potential exits that could force the manager to reshuffle his options.
The reaction to Fernández also sparked broader discussion about his standing at the club. Less than 24 hours before the match, Manchester City failed to meet Chelsea's deadline for a bid, and Real Madrid has been linked with the Argentine midfielder after he publicly expressed a desire to join the Spanish giants—a comment that saw him dropped from the first team for two games in April. Meanwhile, his performances for Argentina at the World Cup, particularly in high‑stakes games against England and Spain, have kept him in the global spotlight. It remains unclear whether the boos were directed at his international commitments, his rumored move to a rival, or simply a vocal minority expressing frustration.
Regardless of the mixed chants, the crowd's mood shifted as the game progressed. By the final minutes, cheers had largely replaced the boos, and fans were heard chanting "Oh Enzo Fernández" in unison, signalling a growing appreciation for his contributions.
The consensus among analysts is that Fernández remains a pivotal figure for Chelsea and will likely be central to Alonso's strategic plans. To win over doubters, he must deliver consistent performances on the pitch. João Pedro, meanwhile, appears to be in red‑hot form heading into the new campaign. After being omitted from the national squad for the World Cup, he has responded with a prolific scoring record, cementing his status as Chelsea's primary striker—though this is also a reflection of the limited attacking depth currently available.
Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap were absent from the squad, fueling speculation about their futures, while veteran Danny Welbeck also did not feature. This left Pedro as the sole recognised striker, compelling Alonso to rely heavily on him for the full 90 minutes.
The reliance on a single forward is risky, especially as Chelsea will be competing on multiple fronts without the benefit of European football this season. The potential departure of Delap raises questions about Chelsea's recruitment strategy. Jackson, who has previously thrived alongside Cole Palmer, has shown he can shoulder part of the attacking load, but the club still appears thin in the forward department despite an active transfer window. Strengthening this area will be essential if the Blues hope to challenge for top‑four positions.
Chelsea's Premier League campaign kicks off at Fulham on Monday Night Football, August 24, at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports. The fixture marks the start of what promises to be an intriguing season under Alonso, whose tactical flexibility and willingness to experiment could either propel the team forward or expose lingering vulnerabilities. Upcoming pre‑season fixtures included: - July 28: Chelsea 6‑4 Western Sydney Wanderers (Sydney) - August 1: Chelsea 1‑2 Tottenham (Sydney) - August 5: Chelsea 0‑1 Juventus (Hong Kong) - August 8: Chelsea 3‑0 AC Milan (Jakarta) - August 9: Johor Darul Ta'zim 3‑3 Chelsea (Johor) - August 15: Chelsea 3‑1 Real Sociedad (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 fine‑tuning before the Premier League campaign begins.