Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he set in motion at Chelsea this summer were intended as an "update" rather than a wholesale reset of the club's direction. 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 seen the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That campaign ended with Chelsea missing 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 where each player was in his career, identifying the moments they could be brought into the team, and pinpointing areas where the group could improve. "Those were, for me, the important decisions, the important things to analyse before coming here," he said.
Once the club agreed on a single direction, the next step was simply to make the necessary choices. Some of those decisions have already been taken, others remain pending, but Alonso expressed confidence in the path they have chosen.
"Now it's competition time," he continued. "It's not about improving in theory; it's about working hard with the team we have, learning from both our mistakes and our successes, and being present in the moment." To date, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw and one defeat, alongside a perfect record of two wins in the Carabao Cup. The next test comes on Friday night when Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso warned against chasing perfection, noting that such a pursuit would only lead to frustration.
"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 has the confidence and conviction to face any opposition," he said. He acknowledged that the process would vary in speed – some aspects would click quickly, others would take longer – but stressed the importance of cultivating a belief within the squad that they understand their game plan and can execute it consistently. Alonso also highlighted the intensity of the Premier League, stating that the early part of the season is about gaining experience and learning quickly. "We need to learn fast because the competition is fierce in the Premier League," he asserted.
He is confident that the Chelsea side will evolve noticeably from the first day to the last day of the campaign, improving week by week as the players gain more matches together. Regarding external criticism, Alonso declined to comment on whether people should be dismissive of his team.
"It's not for me to answer. I prefer not to ask things from people. I prefer to do things," he replied, adding that time will ultimately reveal the effectiveness of his methods.
Injury concerns have also featured in recent discussions, particularly around João Pedro, who withdrew from the Brazil squad due to injury. Despite this setback, Alonso hinted that Pedro could still be available for the Brentford match, noting that the final training session on Friday would provide a clearer picture. "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," he said. When pressed for details on Pedro's fitness, Alonso simply responded, "No." He did, however, acknowledge the possibility that Pedro could feature against Brentford and then miss the upcoming Brazil fixtures, describing such a scenario as "a possibility." Alonso also addressed the emotional side of Pedro's situation, noting that the player has moved beyond the disappointment of missing the World Cup and is now focused on delivering a strong season for Chelsea.
"He has shown desire and 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 affirmed. Overall, Alonso's message to fans and pundits alike is one of measured optimism.
He recognizes the challenges ahead but believes that with incremental updates, disciplined work, and a clear tactical identity, Chelsea can restore their status as a top‑flight contender. The upcoming derby against Brentford will serve as an early benchmark for the team's progress under his stewardship, and while the journey may be uneven, the blueprint he has laid out aims to bring stability, confidence, and ultimately, success to Stamford Bridge.