Alonso aimed to give opportunities to younger players in Chelsea’s first friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, assessing who might contribute during the upcoming campaign. Young talents such as Reggie Watson and Landon Emenalo seized their chances, while established names Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer were used from the bench to help secure a 6-4 win.
Confirmed Chelsea XI vs Tottenham
Chelsea supporters are likely to value this upcoming clash with Spurs, and Alonso’s lineup for the match reflects a strong starting group. The XI on paper appears more robust than in the midweek friendly, with Estevao Willian and new signing Marco Palestra included from the outset.
Tactical setup notes
It appears Alonso is continuing with a 4-3-3 formation, a shape he has favored throughout pre-season. He has not yet deployed the three-at-the-back system he used with success at Bayer Leverkusen.
Squad implications and transfer activity
Several players are eager to impress as Chelsea continue to strengthen ahead of the new domestic campaign. New signing Maxence Lacroix has not yet joined the pre-season tour, while the arrivals of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are anticipated to be finalized in the near future.
