Xabi Alonso has clarified that when he took over Chelsea this summer, the club required "an update" rather than a full‑scale reset. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a side that had slumped to 10th place in the Premier League and had dismissed both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge. That poor finish meant Chelsea 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, strengths, and the areas where the team could improve. "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 foundation of his strategic plan before he even arrived at the club.
Alonso noted that once the decision was made to move in a new direction, the next step was to implement specific choices regarding personnel, tactics, and training methods. "Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them.
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 added. Since assuming the helm, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league wins, one draw, one defeat, and a perfect record of two victories in the Carabao Cup. His next challenge is a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium for a West London derby against Brentford on Friday night, 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 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. 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 stressed that his immediate priority is his own squad, 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.
He also highlighted 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 said.
When pressed about external criticism, Alonso replied that it was not his place to answer such questions. "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 remarked. Regarding player availability, Alonso indicated that João Pedro could be in contention for the Brentford match despite having withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to injury.
He confirmed that the final training session on Friday would provide a clearer picture of 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," Alonso said. When asked directly about Pedro's injury, Alonso gave a terse "No." He added that the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea while missing Brazil was open: "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso responded, "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, focusing on the strengths of the current roster, making calculated adjustments, and building a cohesive, confident unit capable of competing at the highest level. The upcoming Brentford derby will be an early test of his ideas, and while the results may be mixed, the long‑term aim is a club that consistently performs, learns quickly, and evolves week after week.