Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Chelsea required a strategic "update" rather than a wholesale reset when he stepped into the managerial role this summer. The 44‑year‑old Spaniard signed a four‑year deal in May, inheriting a Blues side that had slumped to a tenth‑place finish in the Premier League and had already dismissed Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic campaign at Stamford Bridge. That disappointing league position meant the club missed out on European competition for the third time in four seasons, a stark indicator that change was needed, but not necessarily a radical transformation. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso emphasized that the club's situation called for an "update" – a subtle shift in direction and philosophy – rather than a total reset of the institution.
"Not a reset – it was an update, I would say. To change or to take decisions in another direction," he explained, underscoring his belief that the core structure of Chelsea remained sound and that the focus should be on fine‑tuning the existing framework. Alonso outlined his primary concerns as revolving around the squad composition, the stage of each player's career, and the specific moments in which the team could extract the maximum from its talent pool.
He said, "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. 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." According to Alonso, the club now stands at the beginning of a competitive phase where the emphasis shifts from planning to execution. "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 said, highlighting the need for the squad to internalise lessons quickly and translate them into on‑field performance. Since taking charge, 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 his side is a short journey 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. The match presents an early test of Alonso's tactical revisions and his ability to get the team to execute his updated vision.
When asked about his expectations, Alonso admitted that perfection is an unattainable goal, stating, "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 stressed that building a cohesive unit takes time and that the process will involve both swift and gradual improvements. "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 said.
Alonso also clarified that his immediate focus remains on his own squad rather than the opposition, noting, "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." The Premier League's relentless competition, he warned, 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 when supporters could expect tangible results, Alonso was cautious, preferring actions over promises. "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.
In terms of squad selection, Alonso hinted that João Pedro could feature against Brentford, despite the Brazilian forward's recent withdrawal from the Brazil national team due to injury. The club announced on Wednesday night that Pedro had pulled out of the Brazil squad, raising questions about his fitness as Chelsea aim to rediscover winning form.
"In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session [on Friday]," Alonso 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 answer: "No." He added that the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea on Friday while missing Brazil was open, stating, "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso replied, "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's approach reflects a blend of pragmatic squad assessment, incremental tactical refinement, and an emphasis on building confidence and continuity within the team. By focusing on an "update" rather than a complete overhaul, he aims to preserve the club's strengths while addressing its shortcomings, hoping that the cumulative effect of these adjustments will steer Chelsea back toward the upper echelons of English football.