Chelsea wrapped up their pre‑season schedule with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad, a match that offered a glimpse of the tactical shape Xabi Alonso may employ when the Premier League season kicks off against Fulham. For the third consecutive friendly, the Blues lined up with a back three, echoing the 3‑4‑5 system that brought Alonso success at Bayer Leverkusen during their 2024 Bundesliga triumph. The game also marked the first appearances of British‑record signing Morgan Rogers and French centre‑back Maxence Lacroix. Rogers opened the scoring after just ten minutes, tapping in a simple finish, but Chelsea struggled to find rhythm in the opening half.
Their defensive block sat too deep, limiting their ability to press the Spanish side. Real Sociedad took advantage, earning a deserved equaliser 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 was a different story. Within two minutes, João Pedro rose to meet a Reece James cross and headed home, restoring the lead.
The Argentine striker later added his seventh pre‑season goal with a composed finish, underscoring his growing importance in Alonso’s plans. The most talked‑about moment, however, came when Enzo Fernández entered the fray in the 62nd minute. A section of the crowd greeted him with boos, a reaction linked to recent transfer speculation linking him with Manchester City, while another portion of supporters broke into chants of his name, creating a mixed atmosphere that reflected his polarising status among the fanbase. Further transfer chatter swirled around the club.
Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas and Kaveh Solhekol reported interest from Marseille and Benfica for defender Tosin, who was omitted from the matchday squad. Strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson are also expected to depart within the next fortnight after missing the friendly, and winger Mykhailo Mudryk could be sent out on loan.
Pedro Neto is another name that may leave Stamford Bridge in the near future. Alonso’s tactical evolution was evident.
After experimenting with a 4‑2‑3‑1 in the first two pre‑season fixtures, he switched to a 3‑4‑3 against AC Milan, a formation that produced a convincing 3‑0 victory and appears likely to be retained for the opening league match. The 3‑4‑3 at Stamford Bridge was fluid; at times Chelsea resembled a four‑man defence as Moisés Caicedo dropped deep to collect the ball while Wesley Fofana drifted wide on the right. Wing‑backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palaestra were tucking inside to form a back five, while Rogers and Cole Palmer operated as inside forwards, providing an extra layer of attack. The back three also suited Lacroix, who has already shown comfort in a central defensive role after his stint at Crystal Palace.
Nonetheless, the first half exposed weaknesses. Chelsea’s low block made it difficult to press high, and the distances between players left gaps that Sociedad exploited. After the interval, the Blues raised their line, applied a coordinated press, and forced the Spanish side onto the back foot. The back three began to dominate the midfield line, and the wing‑backs pushed the opposition wingers deeper, reducing the space they could operate in.
Alonso still has the option to revert to a four‑man defence if required, but even a flurry of second‑half substitutions did not alter the back three’s structure, indicating his confidence in the system’s adaptability. Charlotte Marsh of Sky Sports highlighted that Fernández’s reception was mixed, arriving less than 24 hours after Manchester City missed Chelsea’s self‑imposed 5 p.m. deadline to submit a bid for the midfielder.
It now appears Fernández will remain at Chelsea for the 2026/27 campaign, despite rumors linking him with Real Madrid—a club he expressed a desire to join in April, a comment that briefly saw him dropped from the first‑team squad. The Argentine’s recent World Cup involvement, particularly his performances against England and Spain, added another layer to the fan reaction.
Some supporters may have booed due to international loyalties, while others were possibly disgruntled by the prospect of losing a key player to a direct rival. As the match progressed, the boos faded and chants of “Oh Enzo Fernández” grew louder, suggesting a reconciliation of sentiment among the crowd.
Regardless of the noise, Fernández remains a pivotal figure for the Blues and is likely to feature prominently in Alonso’s tactical blueprint. His ability to link play, break lines, and contribute defensively will be essential for Chelsea’s resurgence. Meanwhile, João Pedro continues his hot streak, having scored seven goals in five pre‑season outings after a World Cup snub. He is poised to be Chelsea’s primary striker, though the squad’s limited striking options mean reliance on him and veteran Danny Welbeck could be risky.
The absence of Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap, both of whom are under transfer speculation, highlights a lingering recruitment gap in attack. Chelsea’s Premier League journey begins with a Monday Night Football clash against Fulham on 24 August at 8 p.m., broadcast live on Sky Sports. The club’s pre‑season itinerary also included fixtures in Sydney, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Johor, offering a global showcase of the new squad.
As the Blues head into the new campaign, the mixed reception to Fernández, the tactical clues from Alonso’s back‑three experiment, and the looming transfer decisions will all shape the narrative of Chelsea’s quest to return to the top of English football.