The Blues began their tour of Australia and Asia with a 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, pulling clear after key players entered the fray. Joao Pedro’s hat-trick helped paper over some defensive cracks that appeared on the challenging surface.
Three Chelsea players under pressure to perform against Tottenham
Energy and competition have sharpened in training as Chelsea prepare for a tougher test, with three players highlighted for still needing to seize their opportunities under Alonso’s guidance.
Josh Acheampong
Acheampong endured a notably difficult moment in the first televised friendly, being beaten too easily for Western Sydney Wanderers’ second goal. As a young talent stepping up to first-team football, he has not consistently earned regular minutes under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior. The arrival of defender Maxence Lacroix has increased competition at the back, heightening Acheampong’s need to demonstrate he belongs in Alonso’s plans for the upcoming season. His versatility in defense remains a strong asset, and how he integrates into a potential three-at-the-back system will be telling.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia, who missed the opening friendly through injury, has been cleared to face Tottenham in Sydney. Some fans have questioned his injury history, while the club continues to build depth in midfield. With the potential arrivals of players such as Jordan Henderson and others tied to possible bids for talents like Alex Scott or Adam Wharton, Lavia must quickly prove his value. Under Alonso, he needs to show that his ball-playing ability and comfort in tight spaces can be a meaningful asset throughout next season.
Jamie Gittens
Gittens has started pre-season strongly, scoring in behind-closed-doors fixtures and finding the net against Western Sydney Wanderers off the bench. After a challenging first season at Stamford Bridge, he is determined to establish himself, but faces stiff competition for regular minutes. New signing Morgan Rogers is expected to contend for a starting berth, and Mykhailo Mudryk could also factor in after suspension clearance. Gittens will need to maintain high standards to secure a regular role during the domestic campaign.
Overall, the pre-season form suggests Chelsea are building depth and evaluating options ahead of the new season. The squad’s ability to adapt, particularly in defense and midfield, will be crucial as Alonso implements his tactical plans and weighs up potential transfer activity. The upcoming clashes, including the high-profile test against Tottenham, will be critical in determining which players rise to the challenge and which roles they will assume in the forthcoming campaign.
