Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Chelsea required an "update" rather than a wholesale reset when he took over the reins this summer. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a side that had finished 10th in the Premier League and had endured a chaotic season that saw the departures of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. That campaign also meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso explained his philosophy: "Not a reset – it was an update, I would say.
To change or to take decisions in another direction." He emphasized that his primary focus was the existing squad, assessing each player’s career stage, identifying the moments when they could contribute most effectively, and pinpointing areas where the team could improve. "Those were, for me, the important decisions, the important things to analyse before coming here. Once we agreed we wanted to take one direction, it was about taking decisions.
Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he said. Alonso stressed that the club was now entering a period of competition, not just improvement. "Now it's competition time.
It's not about improving, now it's with the team that we have to work hard, improve, knowing that we have to learn from mistakes, from the good things as well, and we are in that moment," he added. Since his appointment, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two wins, one draw and one league defeat, along with a perfect record of two victories in the Carabao Cup. His next test comes on Friday night when Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford in a west London derby, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso warned against chasing perfection.
"If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he remarked. Instead, he aims for a high level of consistency and solidity: "What I'm looking for is to reach a good level, good continuity, good solidity; to be a team that knows what they're going to do and have this confidence and this conviction whenever you are facing any opposition.
We are in the process. We will get there when some processes are quicker or longer, but we are working to have that feeling and when you see that we are going on the pitch we have that belief that we know what we are going to do." Alonso also highlighted his concentration on internal development rather than external comparisons. "The early days are just for games and I'm not that focused about the other teams. I'm very focused about my own team and all my players and the development that we will do, the process and the improvement that we have to make," he said.
He acknowledged the intense competition in the Premier League and the need for rapid learning: "We need to learn quick because the competition is furious in the Premier League and I'm sure that the Chelsea of the first day and the Chelsea of the last day in the Premier League will be different and I'm sure that it will be better. It will be getting better and better with weeks and with games." When pressed about when supporters might start seeing tangible results, Alonso was cautious.
"It's not for me to answer. I prefer not to ask things from people.
I prefer to do things. And knowing that, I am aware everything takes time in football, but time will tell," he replied. In terms of squad selection, Alonso hinted that João Pedro could feature against Brentford, despite the Brazilian forward's recent withdrawal from the Brazil national team due to injury.
Pedro's absence from the Brazil squad raised concerns about his fitness, but Alonso remained optimistic: "In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session [on Friday]. No one is ruled out. I remain cautious and we wait.
We will see [on Friday] if he's ready to play. We will take a decision." When asked directly about Pedro's injury status, Alonso gave a terse answer: "No." He added that playing for Brentford on Friday while missing Brazil was a possibility: "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso noted that the player had moved beyond the summer and World Cup disappointment, focusing on his club season: "He has moved on from the summer, he has moved on from the World Cup. He has shown this desire, determination to have a great season so far.
The summer is far away now. He will be [in the Brazil squad] in the future. I'm pretty sure he is going to be." Alonso's broader vision for Chelsea involves building a resilient, adaptable side that can compete on multiple fronts while nurturing young talent and integrating new signings wisely.
He has spoken about the importance of a clear playing philosophy, emphasizing possession-based football combined with a high pressing intensity to disrupt opponents. By fostering a culture of accountability and continuous learning, he hopes to restore Chelsea's reputation as a top‑four contender and eventually return the club to European competition. The upcoming Brentford match will serve as a litmus test for the progress made under Alonso's guidance.
A strong performance could reinforce confidence in his approach, while any setbacks will provide valuable lessons for the coaching staff and players alike. As the season unfolds, fans can expect incremental improvements, strategic squad rotations, and a renewed sense of purpose as Chelsea strives to climb the Premier League table and re‑establish itself among England's elite clubs.