Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the changes needed at Chelsea this summer were more about an "update" than a wholesale reset. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year deal in May, stepping into a club that had just finished a disappointing 10th place in the Premier League.
The previous season had seen the departure of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior amid a chaotic spell at Stamford Bridge, and for the third time in four years the Blues missed out on European competition. 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 – evaluating each player’s career stage, assessing their current form, and identifying the areas where the team could 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 said. Alonso stressed that the club was now entering a period of competition, not just theoretical improvement.
"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.
In the league, Chelsea have recorded two wins, one draw and one loss, while they have been perfect in the Carabao Cup with two victories. 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.
When asked about his expectations, Alonso warned against chasing perfection. "If I look for perfection, I will be frustrated always," he remarked.
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 that his early focus is on his own squad rather than 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 said. He acknowledged the intense competition in the Premier League and the need for 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 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 replied. A key talking point ahead of the Brentford match is the fitness of João Pedro.
Despite pulling out of the Brazil squad due to injury, Pedro remains a potential starter for Friday night’s fixture. Alonso confirmed that the squad was undergoing its final training session on Friday and that no player was definitively ruled out.
"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 injury status, Alonso gave a terse "No." He did, however, acknowledge the possibility of Pedro featuring for Chelsea while missing out on Brazil duties. "It is a possibility," he replied when questioned about the player’s availability for the match versus his national team commitments.
Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil – especially after not being selected for the World Cup – Alonso noted that the player has 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 Chelsea are on a trajectory of gradual improvement, driven by strategic tweaks rather than a radical overhaul. The upcoming derby with Brentford will serve as an early test of his ideas, and while the road ahead is likely to be challenging, the manager is confident that the club’s identity and performance will evolve positively as the season progresses.