The squad has recently completed two behind-closed-doors friendlies, securing 3-1 and 3-0 wins against Crawley and Bromley. Chelsea are currently in Australia and are scheduled to face Western Sydney Wanderers at the Accom Stadium on Tuesday, as part of their early pre-season schedule.
At this stage, Chelsea has not officially begun their pre-season campaign. World Cup participants are gradually rejoining the group, while a number of new signings and potential departures continue to be discussed.
Fans were treated to a glimpse of the Blues’ development as the squad featured key players alongside academy prospects, including 16-year-olds Reggie Walsh and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli. The training session also highlighted the influence of new head coach Xabi Alonso, who is overseeing the team’s early preparations.
Lavia, who could receive substantial playing time in the coming fixtures given the absence of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, spoke with media after the session. He commented on the club’s direction under Alonso, noting that 2027 is about returning to basics and implementing the new manager’s ideas as quickly as possible to drive Chelsea’s success.
“We arrived late, so we had a bit of a recovery to shake off the travel fatigue. It’s a great city; it looks very nice. We haven’t seen enough of it yet, but today after training we might get the chance,” Lavia said.
Looking ahead, Alonso has the task of refreshing the squad by trimming and reorganizing the roster this summer. Chelsea have already moved on from several players, with sales totaling around £120 million, including departures of Andrey Santos and Alejandro Garnacho.
More players are expected to leave, including Liam Delap, Filip Jorgensen, Benoit Badiashile, and Dario Essugo, among others. Lavia remains a subject of market interest, with reports indicating that Monaco have submitted a £25 million bid for the midfielder. Chelsea reportedly rejected the proposal, a response consistent with the club’s significant investment in Lavia, who joined for about £58 million.
In summary, Chelsea’s pre-season in Australia is shaping up as a period of transition under Alonso, balancing opportunities for fringe players like Lavia with strategic decisions about the squad’s long-term direction. The upcoming friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers will be another step in Chelsea’s preparation ahead of the new season.
