Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes required at Chelsea this summer were more about a strategic refresh than a wholesale reset. 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 amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That poor finish meant the Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a stark reminder that the team needed direction. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso stressed that what Chelsea required was "an update" rather than a total 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 assessing the existing squad: the ages of the players, the stages of their careers, and the specific moments in which 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," he said.
Those considerations formed the backbone of his early decisions, and while some moves have already been made, others are still pending. "Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," Alonso added. Now, according to Alonso, the club has moved into the competition 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. So far, under his stewardship, Chelsea have played six matches across all competitions, achieving two wins, one draw and one league defeat, alongside a perfect record of two victories in the Carabao Cup. The next challenge is a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford on Friday night, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Alonso’s philosophy is rooted in realism rather than perfectionism. "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 can be uneven – some processes will accelerate, others will take longer – but the ultimate goal is a squad that steps onto the pitch with a clear belief in its game plan.
He also emphasized that his immediate focus is on his own players, not 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 explained. The Premier League’s relentless intensity demands rapid learning, and Alonso is confident that the Chelsea side will evolve noticeably from the first to the last match 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. When asked when supporters could expect 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 football is a long‑term project and that time will ultimately reveal the outcomes of his decisions. One player who has been a focal point of recent discussion is João Pedro.
Despite withdrawing from the Brazil squad due to injury, the forward remains a potential starter for the upcoming Brentford match. Alonso confirmed that the final training session on Friday would determine Pedro’s fitness. "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 about the nature of Pedro’s injury, Alonso gave a succinct "No." He did, however, acknowledge that Pedro could feature against Brentford and still miss the Brazil call‑up, describing that scenario as "a possibility." Regarding Pedro’s disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso noted that the player has already moved beyond the summer and the tournament. "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 early tenure at Chelsea is defined by a pragmatic approach: assess the current roster, make targeted adjustments, and instill a culture of continuous improvement. While the results have been mixed so far, the manager’s emphasis on an "update" rather than a total overhaul suggests a measured, long‑term vision for the club.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching to see whether this incremental strategy can restore Chelsea to the upper echelons of English football.