Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes he is implementing at Chelsea are more about an upgrade than a wholesale reset. The former Spanish international signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into the role after a chaotic season that saw the club finish tenth in the Premier League and part ways with both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. That disappointing finish meant Chelsea missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that has added urgency to the new manager's agenda. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Alonso emphasized that the club required "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, is on the existing squad: assessing where each player is in his career, identifying the moments when they can contribute most effectively, and determining what improvements are needed to raise the overall standard. Alonso outlined a methodical approach to his early days in charge.
"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." He stressed that the next phase is about competition, not just improvement in theory. "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," Alonso said.
Since taking the helm, he has overseen six matches across all competitions, recording two league wins, one draw and one defeat, alongside a perfect record of two wins in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea's upcoming fixture is a west‑London derby against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Alonso used the occasion to speak about his philosophy regarding perfection and realism. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always.
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 acknowledged that progress is not linear. "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. 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." The Premier League's intensity means Chelsea must adapt 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," Alonso added. When asked about external expectations, he was evasive. "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. A specific player issue that has attracted attention is the fitness of João Pedro. The Brazilian forward withdrew from the Brazil squad due to injury, raising questions about his availability for the Brentford match.
Alonso confirmed that the final training session before the game would be crucial in assessing Pedro's condition. "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 for details about the injury, Alonso simply replied, "No." He did, however, leave the door open for Pedro to feature in the derby, noting that playing for Chelsea and then missing a Brazil call‑up is a possibility.
Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing the Brazil squad, Alonso emphasized the player's forward‑looking mindset. "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's broader vision for Chelsea involves building a resilient, tactically disciplined side that can compete on multiple fronts. He wants his players to internalise a clear game plan, develop a collective identity, and exhibit the mental toughness required to navigate the rigors of English football.
While the early results have been mixed, the manager believes the incremental improvements he is making will compound over time, ultimately delivering the consistency and competitiveness that Chelsea fans have been yearning for. In summary, Xabi Alonso sees his role as an architect of incremental change rather than a demolisher of the existing structure. By carefully evaluating the squad, making targeted decisions, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, he aims to transform Chelsea into a side that not only competes but thrives in the Premier League and beyond.
The upcoming Brentford clash will serve as another test of his evolving blueprint, and supporters will be watching closely to see how the "update" unfolds on the pitch.