Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes required at Chelsea this summer were more about a strategic refresh than a total reset of the club. The former Spanish international, now 44, signed a four‑year deal in May to take the reins of a Blues side that had finished 10th in the Premier League and had endured a chaotic season that saw both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart. That campaign also meant Chelsea missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that heightened the urgency for a new direction.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso stressed that what the club needed was "an update" rather than a wholesale rebuild. "Not a reset – it was an update, I would say. To change or to take decisions in another direction," he explained.
His focus, he said, was on the existing squad: assessing each player’s career stage, identifying where they could improve, and deciding how to get the most out of the resources already at his disposal. "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," he said. Those were the key questions he tackled before stepping into the role. Alonso outlined a clear process: once the club agreed on a single direction, the next step was to make the necessary decisions, some of which had already been taken and others that would come later.
"Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he added. With the strategic framework in place, the focus now shifts to competition. "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. Since taking charge, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw and one loss, plus two victories in the Carabao Cup. The next test comes on Friday night when Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford, a match 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," he admitted. 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," he said.
He acknowledges that progress may be uneven – some processes will move quickly, others more slowly – but the ultimate goal is a side that steps onto the pitch with a clear belief in its game plan. Alonso also emphasized that his immediate concern is his own players, 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 explained.
The Premier League’s relentless pace demands rapid learning, and he is convinced Chelsea will look markedly different by the season’s end. "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 said.
When pressed about when the public might see tangible results, Alonso was evasive. "It's not for me to answer. I prefer not to ask things from people. I prefer to do things," he replied, noting that time is a crucial factor in football and that only results will tell the full story.
One player who has been the subject of recent speculation is João Pedro. Despite withdrawing from the Brazil squad due to injury, Alonso indicated that the striker could still feature in the Brentford game. "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, Alonso simply replied, "No." He did, however, acknowledge the possibility that Pedro could play for Chelsea on Friday and then miss the Brazil match, describing it as "a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil – especially after not being selected for the World Cup – Alonso noted the player's resilience.
"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 message is one of measured optimism.
He believes that with a clear strategic update, careful squad management, and a commitment to learning from each match, Chelsea can rebuild their identity and return to the upper echelons of English football. The upcoming Brentford derby will be an early test of his ideas, and while perfection is out of reach, steady improvement and a united squad are the hallmarks of his vision for the Blues.