Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Chelsea required an "update" rather than a wholesale reset when he took over the reins at the club 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 seen the departures of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That campaign ended with the Blues missing out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that added pressure on any incoming manager. 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, their current form, and the specific improvements needed. "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 assessments, according to Alonso, formed the backbone of his early decisions.
Some changes had already been implemented, while others were still pending, but he expressed confidence in the direction the club was heading. Alonso stressed that the team now faced a period of competition rather than a rebuilding 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 noted. Since his appointment, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league wins, one draw, one defeat, and a perfect record of 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 was an unrealistic goal. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he said. 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 explained. Alonso acknowledged that the timeline for progress can vary.
"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," he added. He stressed that his attention is firmly on his own squad rather than on rival teams.
"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. The Premier League's intensity means Chelsea must adapt quickly. Alonso warned that the competition is "furious" and that the team he fields on the first day of the season will look markedly different from the one on the final day.
"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," he affirmed. When probed about when supporters could expect 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 responded, underscoring his belief that patience and steady progress are essential.
A particular point of interest ahead of the Brentford match is the fitness of João Pedro. The Brazilian forward had withdrawn from the Brazil national team due to injury, raising questions about his availability for Chelsea. Alonso confirmed that the squad would have a final training session on Friday and that no player was ruled out.
"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 status, Alonso offered a brief answer: "No." He did, however, entertain the possibility that Pedro could feature against Brentford but then miss out on Brazil duties, stating, "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing the Brazil squad, Alonso noted that the player has moved beyond the summer and World Cup setbacks. "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 said.
Overall, Alonso's early tenure at Chelsea reflects a measured approach: evaluating the current roster, making targeted adjustments, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. While the results have been mixed so far, the manager's emphasis on incremental updates rather than a radical overhaul suggests a long‑term vision aimed at restoring Chelsea to the upper echelons of English football. The upcoming Brentford derby will serve as an early test of his ideas, and fans will be watching closely to see how the "update" unfolds on the pitch.