Xabi Alonso has clarified that Chelsea required merely an "upgrade" rather than a full‑scale reset when he took over the club this summer. The 44‑year‑old former midfielder signed a four‑year contract in May, stepping into a side that had just finished tenth in the Premier League and had endured a chaotic season that saw the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. Those upheavals meant Chelsea missed out on European competition for the third time in four years, a situation that underscored the need for change. 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 where each player was in his career, what the club could realistically achieve with the resources at hand, and identifying areas for improvement. "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 backbone of his strategic planning before he even set foot on the training ground. Alonso noted that once the club agreed on a single direction, the next step was simply to make the necessary decisions.
Some of those choices have already been implemented, while others remain on the agenda. "Some of them we took, others will have to be taken, but we are convinced with all of them," he added. He stressed that the team now enters a period of competition, where the emphasis shifts from planning to execution. "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 explained. Since his appointment, Alonso has overseen six matches across all competitions, achieving two league victories, one draw and one defeat, alongside a perfect record of two wins in the Carabao Cup.
The next test comes with a short 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, noting that such a pursuit would only lead to frustration. "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 acknowledged that the process of building that identity will vary in speed, with some elements clicking quickly and others taking longer. "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," he said.
Alonso also stressed his concentration on his own squad 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 highlighted the intensity of the Premier League, noting that the competition is "furious" and that the Chelsea he sees at the start of the season will look markedly different from the one at the end, hopefully for the better. "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 affirmed. 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," he replied, reminding everyone that football development takes time and that only time will reveal the outcomes of his decisions. A particular point of interest ahead of the Brentford match is the fitness of João Pedro, who has been sidelined from the Brazil squad due to injury. Alonso confirmed that the player was involved in the final training session on Friday and that no one was ruled out, though he remained cautious.
"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, Alonso gave a terse "No." He did, however, acknowledge the possibility that Pedro could feature for Chelsea while missing out on Brazil duties, stating, "It is a possibility." Regarding Pedro's disappointment at missing Brazil, especially after not being selected for the World Cup, Alonso noted that the player has already moved on from the summer and the tournament, focusing instead on his club season. "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 said. Overall, Alonso's message is clear: Chelsea are undergoing a strategic upgrade, not a wholesale reset.
By evaluating the current roster, making calculated decisions, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he hopes to steer the Blues back toward the upper echelons of English football. The upcoming Brentford derby will serve as an early litmus test of his methods, but the broader aim is to build a resilient, confident side capable of competing on multiple fronts as the season progresses.