Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he is implementing at Chelsea are best described as an "update" rather than a wholesale reset. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a club that had just finished a disappointing tenth place in the Premier League and had seen both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That lowly finish meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that added urgency to Alonso's task. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, the 44‑year‑old explained his philosophy: "Not a reset – it was an update, I would say.
To change or to take decisions in another direction." He stressed that his primary focus was the existing squad – assessing where each player was in his career, identifying the moments in which they could be most effective, and determining what could be improved without completely discarding the foundations that had been built. "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," Alonso said.
"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 emphasized that the club is now entering a period of competition, not just theoretical improvement. "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 taking the helm, he has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw, one defeat, and a perfect record in the Carabao Cup with two victories.
The next challenge for the Blues is a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford on Friday night, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso warned against seeking perfection: "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. 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 also highlighted that his immediate concern is his own squad, not the opposition. "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. He acknowledged the intense pressure of the Premier League, noting 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." When pressed about when supporters could expect tangible results, Alonso was measured. "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, underscoring his belief that patience and diligent work will eventually pay off. In terms of squad selection, Alonso hinted that João Pedro could be involved in the Brentford match despite his recent withdrawal from the Brazil national team due to injury. The Brazilian forward's absence from the national squad raised questions about his fitness, but Alonso remained optimistic.
"In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session [on Friday]," he said. "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 status, Alonso gave a terse "No." He added that the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea while missing the Brazil call‑up was open: "It is a possibility." Regarding the player's disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso noted that Pedro has moved beyond the summer and the World Cup disappointment. "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 affirmed.
Overall, Alonso's approach at Chelsea is one of incremental refinement rather than radical overhaul. By evaluating each player's stage of development, making targeted decisions, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, he hopes to steer the club back into European contention. The upcoming Brentford derby will be an early test of his ideas in practice, and while the road ahead is long, Alonso believes that with patience, hard work, and a clear sense of direction, Chelsea can evolve from a team in need of an update to one that consistently challenges at the highest level.