Xabi Alonso has been 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, inheriting a side that had slipped to 10th place in the Premier League after a chaotic campaign that saw the departures of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
That finish meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four seasons, a stark indicator that change was needed but not necessarily 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 each player's career stage, identifying where they could improve, and determining the best moments to bring them into the first‑team picture.
"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," he said. Those considerations formed the backbone of his early decisions, and while some choices have already been made, others remain on the agenda. "Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he added.
Alonso stressed that the club is now in "competition time" – the focus has shifted from abstract improvements to tangible results on the pitch. "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 explained. Since his appointment, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, delivering two league wins, one draw, one defeat, and a perfect record in the Carabao Cup with two victories.
The next challenge for the newly‑appointed manager 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 perfection is unattainable: "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always." Instead, he aims for consistency, solidity, and confidence.
"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 said. He acknowledged that progress is not linear. Some processes will accelerate, others will take longer, but the ultimate goal is a squad that steps onto the pitch with a clear belief in its game plan.
"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 remarked.
Alonso also highlighted his singular focus on his own players rather than obsessing over rivals. "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 explained. He warned that the Premier League's intensity demands 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 external expectations, 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." His pragmatic stance underscores a belief that results will speak louder than speculation. In terms of squad selection, Alonso hinted that João Pedro could feature in the upcoming Brentford clash, despite the Brazilian forward's recent withdrawal from the national team due to injury. Pedro's fitness has been a point of concern, but Alonso remained cautious, stating that the final decision would be made after 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," he said.
When asked directly about Pedro's injury, Alonso simply replied, "No." He acknowledged the possibility that Pedro might play for Chelsea but miss out on Brazil duties, describing it as "a possibility." Addressing Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil – especially after not being selected for the World Cup – Alonso noted the player's forward momentum: "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." Overall, Alonso's message is one of measured optimism.
He sees Chelsea as a club with a solid foundation that simply needs refinement, strategic tweaks, and a clear identity. By focusing on the existing talent, making calculated adjustments, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, he believes the Blues can evolve from a mid‑table side to genuine contenders. The upcoming Brentford derby will be an early test of his ideas, and while perfection remains elusive, the incremental progress he envisions could set the stage for a more competitive and resilient Chelsea in the months ahead.