Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes required at Chelsea this summer were more about a strategic refresh than a wholesale reconstruction. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, now the club's head coach, signed a four‑year deal in May and stepped into a side that had slumped to a 10th‑place finish in the Premier League, ending a season that saw the dismissal of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic spell at Stamford Bridge. That campaign also meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that underscored the urgency for a new direction. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso emphasized that what Chelsea required was "an update" rather than a total reset.
"Not a reset – it was an update, I would say. To change or to take decisions in another direction," he explained.
He highlighted that his primary focus before taking the job was the composition of the squad: assessing the players’ career stages, identifying the moments when they could be most effective, and pinpointing areas where the team could improve. "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 assessments formed the backbone of his early decisions, and while some moves 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 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 noted. Since taking charge, he has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league victories, one draw, one loss, and a perfect record in the Carabao Cup with two wins.
The next test comes on Friday night when Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso admitted that chasing perfection would only lead to frustration. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he said. Instead, his aim is to establish a consistent level of performance, solid defensive organization, and a clear sense of purpose.
"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. He acknowledged that the timeline for progress can vary: "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 stressed that his immediate concern is his own squad rather than 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. The Premier League's relentless pace demands rapid learning and adaptation.
"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 pressed about external expectations, Alonso declined to speculate. "It's not for me to answer.
I prefer not to ask things from people. I prefer to do things," he replied, noting that football is a long‑term project and only time will reveal the outcomes of his strategies. One of the players likely to feature in the upcoming Brentford clash is João Pedro, who recently withdrew from Brazil's national team due to injury.
The midfielder's fitness has been a topic of discussion, especially as Chelsea look to revive their winning ways. Alonso confirmed that the squad would have a final training session on Friday and that no player was definitively 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 "No" and noted that while playing for Brentford might affect his Brazil prospects, it remains a possibility.
He added that Pedro has moved beyond 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 philosophy centers on incremental improvement, tactical clarity, and fostering a resilient mindset within the squad.
By treating the early phase of his tenure as an "update" rather than a radical overhaul, he aims to build a foundation that can evolve throughout the season, adapting to the intense demands of the Premier League while keeping an eye on long‑term success. The upcoming Brentford derby will serve as an early barometer of how well his ideas are translating onto the pitch, and supporters will be watching closely to see whether the promised update begins to bear fruit.