Xabi Alonso has clarified that the changes he intends to make at Chelsea amount to an "update" rather than a wholesale reset since taking the helm this summer. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a club that had finished a disappointing 10th place in the Premier League and had already dismissed both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That poor league finish also meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years.
In an exclusive conversation 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, the moments in which they could be most effective, and identifying 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 is now entering a period of competition rather than contemplation. "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, the manager has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league victories, one draw, one defeat, and a perfect record of two wins in the Carabao Cup. The next challenge for his side is a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford on Friday night, 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. 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, acknowledging that some steps will be quicker than others. "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 explained. His focus remains 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. Alonso also highlighted the intensity of the Premier League, insisting that the team must learn quickly.
"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 asserted. When pressed about external criticism, the manager responded that it was not his role to answer such questions. "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 remarked. Regarding player availability, Alonso confirmed that João Pedro could be considered for the Brentford fixture despite having withdrawn from Brazil's squad due to injury. He explained that the player’s fitness would be assessed in the final 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," Alonso said, adding a brief "No" when asked for details about Pedro's injury. When questioned whether Pedro might feature for Chelsea on Friday but miss the Brazil match, Alonso replied, "It is a possibility." He also noted that Pedro has moved past the disappointment of missing the World Cup and is focused on delivering a strong season for Chelsea.
"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 concluded.
Overall, Alonso's message is clear: Chelsea are undergoing a strategic update, building on the existing foundation, and aiming for steady, measurable progress rather than an immediate, radical overhaul. The upcoming derby against Brentford will serve as an early test of his evolving blueprint, with the manager confident that the team will grow stronger week by week as they adapt to his vision.