Xabi Alonso has clarified that Chelsea required an "update" rather than a wholesale reset when he assumed the managerial role this summer. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year contract in May, stepping into a Blues side that had finished 10th in the Premier League after a chaotic season that saw the departures of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. That campaign also meant the club missed out on European competition for the third time in four years. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso 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 and determining the moments when they could 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. 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." Alonso stressed that the club was now entering a competitive phase. "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, achieving two wins, one draw and one league defeat, plus a perfect record of two victories in the Carabao Cup. 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. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he remarked. 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.
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." Alonso also highlighted that his immediate concern is his own squad, not the performances of other 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 explained.
He acknowledged the intensity of the Premier League, noting that rapid learning is essential. "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 added. 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. And knowing that, I am aware everything takes time in football, but time will tell," he said.
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 confirmed on Wednesday that Pedro had pulled out of the Brazil squad, raising questions about his fitness as Chelsea aim to return to winning ways. "In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session [on Friday]," Alonso noted. "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 response: "No." He added that the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea on Friday while missing Brazil was open. "It is a possibility," he said.
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." Overall, Alonso's message is clear: Chelsea are undergoing a strategic refresh rather than a radical overhaul.
By evaluating the existing roster, making measured decisions, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he hopes to steer the Blues back into European contention and restore the club's competitive edge. The upcoming Brentford clash will serve as an early barometer of how quickly his ideas translate into on‑field performance, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the promised "update" begins to bear fruit.