Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he is implementing at Chelsea amount to an "upgrade" rather than a full-scale reset since taking the helm this summer. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a 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 Blues missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a disappointment that has added urgency to Alonso's task. 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 has been the existing squad – assessing each player's career stage, identifying where they can improve, and deciding which adjustments were necessary to move the club forward. "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 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 is now in a phase of competition rather than reconstruction. "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 his arrival, he has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw and one defeat, plus two victories in the Carabao Cup.
The next challenge is a west‑London derby against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked about his expectations, Alonso admitted that perfection is an unattainable goal. "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 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 explained.
He warned that the Premier League's intensity demands rapid learning. "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." 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. He also addressed the status of forward João Pedro, who has been linked to the Brentford match despite withdrawing from the Brazil squad with an injury.
Alonso confirmed that the player was still in contention, noting that the final training session on Friday would provide a clearer picture. "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 fitness, Alonso offered no specifics, replying simply, "No." He did, however, acknowledge the possibility of Pedro playing for Chelsea on Friday and then missing the Brazil match, calling it "a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil, Alonso noted that the player has already moved on from the summer and the World Cup disappointment, focusing on delivering a strong season for Chelsea.
"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 message is one of measured optimism.
He believes that with the right adjustments, the squad can evolve from a team that merely competes to one that consistently challenges for honours. The upcoming derby against Brentford will serve as an early test of his ideas, and while the road ahead is likely to be demanding, the manager remains confident that the incremental upgrades he is making will eventually transform Chelsea into a more resilient and competitive side.