Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Chelsea needed an "update" rather than a wholesale reset when he took over the reins this summer. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a club that had just finished a disappointing 10th place in the Premier League and had seen both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart during a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That campaign also meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that added urgency to the changes Alonso felt were necessary. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, the 44‑year‑old explained his philosophy: "Not a reset – it was an update, I would say.
To change or to take decisions in another direction." He emphasized that his primary focus was the existing squad, assessing each player’s career stage, their recent form, and the specific improvements that could be made. "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. He added that before arriving at Chelsea he had carefully analyzed these factors and, once the club agreed on a single direction, the work of making decisions began.
Some of those choices have already been implemented, while others are still pending, but he expressed confidence in the overall plan. Alonso stressed that the club is now in "competition time" – a phase where the focus shifts from planning to execution.
"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, Alonso 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 to face Brentford in a West London derby, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
When asked about his standards, Alonso admitted that chasing perfection would lead to constant frustration. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he said. Instead, he aims for "good level, good continuity, good solidity" – a team that knows its game plan, exudes confidence, and maintains conviction against any opponent.
He acknowledged that the process will have its ups and downs: "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." The early part of his tenure is still about gathering data from matches, and he is deliberately not overly concerned with the performances of rival clubs. "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 affirmed. Alonso also highlighted the intensity of the Premier League, noting that the competition is "furious" and that the Chelsea side he inherited will look very different 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 said, underscoring his belief that incremental progress will accumulate into a stronger, more resilient squad. When pressed about when supporters could expect tangible results, Alonso was cautious.
"It's not for me to answer. I prefer not to ask things from people.
I prefer to do things," he replied, reminding fans that football development takes time and that only time will reveal the full impact of his changes. In terms of squad selection, Alonso confirmed that João Pedro could be available for the Brentford fixture, despite the Brazilian forward withdrawing from the national team due to injury. Pedro's withdrawal raised questions about his fitness, but Alonso said the final training session on Friday would determine his readiness.
"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," the manager explained. When asked directly about Pedro's injury status, Alonso offered a brief "No." He also noted that Pedro could play for Chelsea on Friday and still be considered for future Brazil call‑ups, describing the situation as "a possibility." Addressing Pedro's disappointment at missing the Brazil squad – especially after not being selected for the World Cup – Alonso reassured that the young striker has moved beyond the setbacks of the summer and the World Cup disappointment. "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, indicating confidence in Pedro's long‑term prospects.
Overall, Alonso's early months at Chelsea have been defined by a pragmatic approach: assess the current roster, make targeted adjustments, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. While the results have been mixed so far, the manager's emphasis on incremental updates rather than radical overhauls suggests a long‑term vision aimed at restoring Chelsea to the upper echelons of English football. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see whether these updates translate into the consistency and success that have long been expected of the club.