An entertaining friendly at Stamford Bridge against Spanish cup holders Real Sociedad proved a lively curtain-raiser for Chelsea’s new season, ushering in the Xabi Alonso era and giving fans a glimpse of the new manager’s style.
In a word, it’s zippier. Alonso wants to speed up his players’ thinking processes, delivering quicker, single-touch passes; a prime example coming on Saturday as 34,715 fans roared with delight when sub Malo Gusto’s pinpoint through ball allowed Joao Pedro to score his second goal of the day in the Blues’ 3-1 win.
New £117million boy Morgan Rogers fitted in perfectly on Pedro’s shoulder, notching the first goal of the afternoon inside 10 minutes.
A powerful volley by Jon Mikel Aramburu just before halftime levelled the scores and reminded everyone that the Spaniards were not just making up the numbers.
But Pedro’s second-half double – the first a well-directed header from a Reece James looping cross – clinched the win.
“It was great to have all the team together,” said Alonso afterwards, relieved to finally put the World Cup-skewed summer behind him and focus on getting his new arrivals to gel.
New defenders Marco Palestra and Maxence Lacroix looked comfortable and positive, as did left back Pep Chavarria, who replaced Palestra in the second half.
No1 keeper Robert Sanchez made a couple of terrific saves before making way to give Mike Penders some experience between the sticks.
But while Alonso himself was given a prolonged ovation at the start of the game, the Stamford Bridge faithful were divided about Enzo Fernandez. When he came on as sub for James on the hour (taking the captain’s armband in the process), he was booed by many supporters.
His frustrated summer attempts to leave the club for either Real Madrid or Man City have not endeared him to fans, though some tried to redress the balance by chanting his name.
It’s a saga that needs addressing but, whether he goes or stays, the club is this week starting a fire sale of surplus players to trim the wage bill and leave the new gaffer with a more manageable squad.
Further boos were directed at ref Andy Madley who, by arrangement with both teams, blew for mid-half water breaks. Yes, it was hot, but there was also a suspicion that extra intervals may have been contrived to allow more ads to be shoehorned into overseas TV coverage of the match.
Chelsea travel down the road to face Fulham on Monday, August 24 to launch their Premier League campaign.
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