Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Chelsea required an "upgrade" rather than a full‑scale reset when he stepped into the manager’s role this summer. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, inheriting a Blues side that had slumped to 10th place in the Premier League and had already dismissed Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge.
That poor finish 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 the players’ career stages, identifying where they could improve, and deciding what adjustments were necessary. "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, he added, formed the backbone of his early decisions at the club. Alonso noted that once the direction was agreed upon, the next step was simply to make the required choices.
"Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he explained. He stressed that the club had moved beyond the planning phase and was now in the competitive stage. "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 taking charge, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw and one defeat, alongside a perfect two‑win record in the Carabao Cup.
The next challenge for his side 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," he explained. He acknowledges that progress can be uneven – some processes will accelerate, others will take longer – but the ultimate goal is a team that steps onto the pitch with belief in its game plan. Alonso also stressed his focus on his own squad rather than obsessing over opponents. "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 said. He highlighted the intense competition in the Premier League, noting that the club must learn quickly. "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 evasive.
"It's not for me to answer. I prefer not to ask things from people. I prefer to do things," he replied, acknowledging that football development takes time and that "time will tell." A key talking point ahead of the Brentford match is the fitness of João Pedro, who has been sidelined from the Brazil squad due to injury. Alonso indicated that the Brazilian forward could still feature for Chelsea on Friday, despite his national team withdrawal.
"In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session [on Friday]," Alonso said. "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, Alonso offered no details, simply responding, "No." He did, however, confirm that playing for Chelsea on Friday while missing the Brazil match was a possibility. Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing the Brazil call‑up, Alonso noted that the player has already moved beyond 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 affirmed.
Overall, Alonso's message is one of measured optimism. He believes the squad has the talent and the mindset to evolve, and that each training session and match is an opportunity to refine the team's identity.
While the early results have been mixed, the manager is confident that the incremental upgrades he is implementing will gradually transform Chelsea into a side capable of challenging for higher honors in the Premier League and beyond.