Xabi Alonso has officially commenced his tenure as Chelsea manager, initiating his first week of training at the club's Cobham facility. The initial sessions have focused on intense physical conditioning and integrating academy players, signaling a shift in approach from his predecessor, Liam Rosenior. Alonso, who previously led Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title, has inherited a squad that struggled with distance covered in matches last season, aiming to improve their overall fitness.
Alonso's early days have involved a mix of media duties and practical on-field work. He has been photographed and filmed engaging with club media, including signing a symbolic contract and participating in interviews. On the training pitch, Alonso has been observed actively involved, even demonstrating keepie-uppies while wearing adidas Predators. One notable moment involved the 19-year-old Brazilian prospect Estevao Willian scoring a goal in training, assisted by Alonso himself.
Cole Palmer arrived for the first day of training with his own branded ice packs, a nod to his new premium ice business. This event, alongside fitness tests involving players like Palmer, Joao Pedro, Wesley Fofana, and Levi Colwill, highlights the blend of established talent and new ventures within the squad. Academy players, including Olutayo Subuloye, Reggie Watson, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, and Landon Emenalo, have been integrated into first-team training sessions. Reggie Walsh, a 17-year-old who has shown physical development, also performed well in the bleep test, finishing behind Palmer and Estevao.
Alonso has inherited a team that was outrun by opponents in nearly all Premier League matches last season, covering the lowest total distance among all 20 clubs. His previous success with Bayer Leverkusen, where his team was noted for its high work rate, suggests a focus on improving Chelsea's physicality. New signings such as Dastan Satpayev, Emmanuel Emegha, and Geovany Quenda have also begun training.
Player availability for the upcoming pre-season tour is a key consideration. Players returning from the 2026 World Cup, including Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo, are expected to join the squad during the tour after their customary downtime. However, Enzo Fernandez, having reached the World Cup final with Argentina, is slated to miss the pre-season abroad. Before the international contingent returns, the squad will participate in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Crawley and Bromley.
The club's ownership group, BlueCo, has also appointed Hugo Oliveira as the new head coach for their sister club, Strasbourg. Sources describe Oliveira as an exciting emerging coach with a philosophy of playing on the front foot. Alonso, a high-profile hire for Chelsea, has been working closely with the club's sporting directors. Before officially starting on July 1, he was involved in player movements, including sanctioning Marc Cucurella's sale to Real Madrid and securing new signings like Marco Palestra. The primary objective for Alonso in his first season is to secure a return to the Champions League for Chelsea.