Xabi Alonso will take charge of his first match at Stamford Bridge this weekend, with Chelsea hosting Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly that carries added significance given the new manager's history with the Basque outfit.
Alonso, who came through Real Sociedad's academy as a player before beginning his coaching career with the club's B team in 2019, will be looking to close out a demanding pre-season schedule with a positive result against his boyhood club. The friendly, scheduled for 2pm BST on Saturday, August 15, comes after a tour of Australia and Asia that produced mixed results for the Blues, and Alonso will hope for a confidence boost heading into the new Premier League season.
Chelsea will have a full squad to choose from for the first time in weeks, with all players who returned late following World Cup commitments now back in training at Cobham. That group includes midfielder Enzo Fernandez, whose future at the club has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation throughout the summer. Chelsea have taken a firm stance regarding his situation, reportedly imposing a deadline of 5pm BST on Friday for any offers to be submitted, amid reported interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
There could also be a first appearance of sorts for summer signing Emmanuel Emegha, who has returned to full training after recovering from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the club's tour. His inclusion would offer Alonso another attacking option as he continues to shape his squad ahead of the campaign.
With the transfer window still open for another two weeks, several fringe players could feature against Sociedad while their long-term futures remain uncertain. Striker Liam Delap, valued at around £50m by the club, along with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, are all in that category, with Alonso yet to determine who will serve as backup to first-choice forward Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck up front.
A similar situation is unfolding in defense, where as many as five center-backs could depart Stamford Bridge before the window closes. Tosin Adarabioyo has reportedly attracted interest from multiple Premier League sides as well as Portuguese giants Benfica, while Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have long been viewed as surplus to Alonso's requirements, with the club said to be actively working toward moving both players on.
Elsewhere, young defender Mamadou Sarr could remain with the first-team squad, though Chelsea are believed to be open to sending him out on loan to a Premier League club should a suitable opportunity present itself. Aaron Anselmino, meanwhile, appears set to stay at the club for now after suffering a hamstring injury in the final match of Chelsea's pre-season tour against Johor Darul Ta'zim, having previously been expected to leave on loan.
For Saturday's clash, Chelsea are expected to field a lineup featuring Penders in goal, with Palestra, Lacroix, Colwill and Hato forming the back line. Henderson and Caicedo are tipped to anchor midfield, with Estevao, Palmer and Rogers providing support behind Joao Pedro up front.
The match at Stamford Bridge will be available to watch via CFC+, giving fans a chance to see how Alonso's Chelsea shape up before the Premier League season gets underway.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (standard-football).