Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he wants to bring to Chelsea are more about fine‑tuning the existing setup than starting from scratch. When he accepted the managerial role at the end of May, signing a four‑year deal, the club was still reeling from a chaotic season that saw the departure of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior and a disappointing 10th‑place finish in the Premier League.
That finish meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a stark reminder that something had to change. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso stressed that what Chelsea required was "an update" rather than a full reset.
He explained that his first priority was to assess the squad – looking at each player's age, career stage, and the specific roles they could fulfil. "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.
This analytical approach guided his early decisions, and he noted that some of those choices have already been made while others are still pending. "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," he added.
Alonso emphasized that the team now moves into a phase of competition, not just 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 explained. Since taking charge, he has overseen six matches across all competitions – two wins, one draw and a loss in the league, plus a perfect record in the Carabao Cup with two victories. The next test comes on Friday night when Chelsea travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford in a West London derby, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso warned against chasing perfection, noting that such a mindset would only lead to frustration.
"If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he said. 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 explained. He acknowledges that the process will have its own rhythm – some aspects will evolve quickly, others more slowly – but the ultimate goal is a squad that steps onto the pitch with a clear belief in its game plan. Alonso also highlighted his focus on his own players rather than on rival teams. "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 intensity demands rapid learning, and Alonso is confident that Chelsea will look markedly different – and better – by the end of the season. "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 pressed about when supporters could expect tangible results, Alonso was evasive, preferring actions over promises. "It's not for me to answer.
I prefer not to ask things from people. I prefer to do things," he replied.
He reminded everyone that football is a long‑term project and that time will ultimately reveal the outcomes of his decisions. One of the immediate topics surrounding the upcoming Brentford match is the fitness of João Pedro. The Brazilian forward had recently withdrawn from the Brazil national team due to injury, raising concerns about his availability for Chelsea. Alonso confirmed that the squad would have a final training session on Friday and that no player was 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 simply replied, "No," indicating that the situation was still being monitored. Regarding the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea on Friday but missing the Brazil call‑up, Alonso said, "It is a possibility." He also noted that Pedro has already moved beyond the disappointment of missing the World Cup and is focused on delivering a strong season for the Blues.
"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. In summary, Alonso's philosophy at Chelsea centers on incremental improvement rather than a wholesale overhaul. By evaluating the current roster, making strategic adjustments, and fostering a culture of confidence and continuity, he hopes to steer the club back toward the upper echelons of English football.
The upcoming Brentford derby will serve as an early barometer of how his "update" is translating onto the pitch, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the Blues can turn their recent frustrations into a sustained, upward trajectory.