Xabi Alonso's Chelsea Tenure: Key Changes Ahead of Tottenham Friendly
Xabi Alonso is only two games into the Chelsea job, but the tone of his tenure may start to sharpen on Saturday morning. A pre-season friendly against Tottenham is never just a friendly, not in London, not with a new manager trying to win a demanding crowd.
He eased his way into the tour by leaving most of his heavy hitters on the bench last time out, only unleashing them in bulk with 25 minutes to play. Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, Marco Palestra, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro all arrived together in a sweeping change that instantly raised the level.
Against Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham, Alonso is unlikely to be so gentle.
Stronger spine, sharper edges
This time, Sanchez is pushing to start in goal ahead of Teddy Sharman-Lowe, a move that would immediately stiffen Chelsea’s spine. In front of him, Colwill is expected to step into the starting XI as he hunts match fitness at centre-back, a key figure in any Alonso side that wants to build from deep with authority rather than hesitation.
On the left, the picture is more intriguing. Summer signing Marco Palestra is waiting for his first start in royal blue, but Landon Emenalo has impressed his new coach across the tour. Alonso has clearly taken a shine to the young full-back, and dropping him now would be a significant call. Palestra brings pedigree; Emenalo brings momentum.
Reggie Watson is another who has forced his way into the conversation. His display against Western Sydney didn’t just catch the eye, it caught the hearts of the travelling Chelsea support. Players who do that in pre-season often find minutes come their way, and Watson looks well placed to earn another chance to impress. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli made his own statement off the bench in that game and is in the frame to be rewarded with a start.
Lavia handled with care
Romeo Lavia’s situation underlines Alonso’s pragmatism. The manager has confirmed the midfielder is fit again after missing the Western Sydney match with hamstring discomfort, but the history of his fitness problems looms large. Lavia is available, yet Chelsea are not expected to gamble on him in a July run-out, no matter how attractive the opposition.
That restraint is telling. Alonso wants to build something durable, not just dramatic.
Attacking reshuffle
Further forward, the shape of Chelsea’s front line is set for a tweak rather than a teardown. Dastan Satpayev will hope to keep his place on the left flank after encouraging signs in his previous outing. On the opposite side, Cole Palmer is primed to come in from the start, a natural move given his quality and influence whenever he steps onto the pitch.
Reggie Walsh is expected to keep hold of the No10 role, a central thread in Alonso’s attacking weave. Behind him, the change is likely to come at the tip of the attack, where Liam Delap makes way for Joao Pedro. The Brazilian’s introduction from the first whistle would give Chelsea a different profile up top: more guile between the lines, more craft in tight spaces.
New signings wait, injuries linger
Not everyone will be on show. Maxence Lacroix will sit this one out despite Chelsea confirming his transfer from Crystal Palace on Thursday. The same goes for Morgan Rogers, who remains on post-World Cup holidays and will join up later.
There are still question marks at the back. It is unclear whether Jorrel Hato or Mamadou Sarr will be fit to feature after missing the Western Sydney match, leaving Alonso to juggle his defensive options again. Filip Jorgensen, meanwhile, has already flown home to complete a transfer and will play no part.
So this is where Alonso stands: a squad still being assembled, a style still taking shape, and a fanbase eager for signs that Chelsea are finally pointing in the right direction. Tottenham, even in pre-season, offer a sharp early test.
How bold he goes with his team sheet will tell plenty about how quickly he intends to move.
