Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he is implementing at Chelsea this season are best described as an "update" rather than a total reset of the club's direction. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year contract with the Blues in May, stepping into a role that had been left in disarray after a turbulent campaign that saw the departures of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. Chelsea finished a disappointing 10th place in the Premier League, missing out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that underscored the urgency for a strategic shift.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso emphasized that the club did not require a wholesale rebuild but rather a thoughtful modernization of its existing framework. "Not a reset – it was an update, I would say. To change or to take decisions in another direction," he explained. His primary focus, he said, is the composition of the squad: the ages of the players, the stages of their careers, and the specific moments when they can contribute most effectively.
"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 noted. He added that these considerations guided his analysis before accepting the job, and once the club agreed on a single direction, the next step was to make the necessary decisions. Some of those decisions have already been taken, while others remain on the agenda, but Alonso expressed confidence in the overall plan.
"Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he said. He stressed that the current phase is about competition, not merely improvement in isolation. "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 charge, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league wins, one draw, and one loss, alongside a perfect record of two victories in the Carabao Cup. The next challenge 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.
Alonso’s philosophy for these early games is grounded in realistic expectations. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he admitted.
Instead, he aims for a consistent level of performance, 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 said. Alonso acknowledges that the timeline for progress can vary.
Some processes will accelerate, others will take longer, but the ultimate goal is to instill a belief within the squad that they understand their roles and can execute them effectively. "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 explained.
He also emphasized that his immediate focus is on his own team 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 competition demands rapid learning and adaptation.
Alonso believes that the Chelsea side at the start of the season will look markedly different from the one that finishes it, and he is confident that the transformation will be positive. "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 asked about external expectations, Alonso was evasive, noting that it is not his role to answer for others. "I prefer not to ask things from people.
I prefer to do things," he said, reminding everyone that football is a long‑term project and that time will ultimately reveal the outcomes of his decisions. A specific personnel issue that has attracted attention is the fitness of João Pedro.
The Brazilian forward withdrew from the national team due to injury, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming Brentford match. 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 pressed for details about Pedro’s injury, Alonso simply replied, "No." He acknowledged the possibility that Pedro could feature against Brentford but still be unavailable for Brazil, stating, "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro’s disappointment at missing the Brazil squad, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso offered a measured perspective. "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, highlighting the player's resilience and ambition.
Overall, Alonso’s tenure at Chelsea is still in its infancy, but his emphasis on incremental updates, squad analysis, and a realistic approach to competition suggests a clear roadmap. The upcoming derby against Brentford will serve as an early test of his methods, and while perfection is not the aim, a cohesive, confident, and continuously improving team is the ultimate objective. The season ahead promises to be a period of learning, adaptation, and gradual transformation for the Blues under Alonso’s stewardship.