Xabi Alonso has clarified that Chelsea needed an "upgrade" rather than a wholesale reset when he took over the club this summer. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard signed a four‑year deal in May, inheriting a Blues side that had slipped to a 10th‑place finish in the Premier League after a chaotic season that saw both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart. That mid‑table finish meant the club missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that demanded change but not a total rebuild. 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 the players' career stages, identifying where they could improve, and deciding which adjustments were necessary. "My main concern is the squad, the team, the players that we have, in which stage of their career they are, in which moments we want to bring them, what we have, what we can 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." Alonso stressed that the club is now in the competitive phase. "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 said. Since his appointment, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league wins, one draw and one defeat in the Premier League, plus two victories in the Carabao Cup.
The next challenge for Chelsea is a west London derby against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso admitted that perfection is an unattainable goal: "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always. 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." He described the rebuilding process as gradual: "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. 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." Alonso highlighted the intensity of the Premier League, noting that rapid learning is essential: "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 external judgments of his squad, Alonso deflected: "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 also addressed the fitness of forward João Pedro, who had withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to injury. Alonso said the player would be assessed in the final training session before the Brentford game: "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, Alonso gave a terse "No." He added that playing for Brentford and then 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 replied, "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 approach reflects a measured, incremental strategy: retain the core of the squad, make targeted improvements, and build a cohesive identity over time.
By focusing on continuity, tactical clarity, and player development, he hopes to restore Chelsea to a position where they can consistently challenge for European places. The upcoming Brentford derby will serve as an early test of his methods, offering a glimpse of how the Blues are evolving under his guidance.