Although Alonso has been appointed as the new manager, the squad won’t reconvene for pre-season until July 9. The team will train at Cobham before traveling to Australia to begin their friendlies, with further fixtures in Asia and a return to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea players who are under pressure to impress during pre-season
With ongoing transfer speculation circling several first-team players, there is heightened scrutiny on those who need to show they belong in Alonso’s plans from the outset.
Three players stand out as needing standout early showings to secure their futures at the club.
Josh Acheampong
Interest in Josh Acheampong remains high from multiple top clubs, but opportunities for regular first-team football have been limited under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. Alonso has already signaled that the Cobham graduate should remain at Chelsea, resisting attempts to sanction a sale. This pre-season offers Acheampong a crucial opportunity to demonstrate that he can contribute at a high level, potentially fitting into Alonso’s preferred system, which often relies on versatile players in advanced roles or wing-back/forward positions depending on the formation.
Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos has publicly requested more frequent opportunities at Stamford Bridge. The upcoming pre-season is a vital chance for him to prove he deserves a regular place in the squad. While Chelsea are not beholden to selling Santos, they will want to reward him with fair playing time after the investment made in him as a young talent. With uncertainties around certain midfield departures, Santos will aim to show he can step up and impact the team if given the platform.
Jamie Gittens
Jamie Gittens faces pressure to translate potential into consistent impact after a difficult first season at Chelsea. He showed promising signs during pre-season last year, but did not follow through with Premier League goals in the subsequent campaign. With competition and transfer speculation around other young forwards, including links involving other clubs, Gittens must convince Alonso that he can contribute in the top tier this season.
Overall, the upcoming pre-season will be a critical period for these three players. Alonso will be looking for evidence of adaptability, development, and tangible contributions as he begins shaping his Chelsea squad for the upcoming campaign.
