With transfers flying in and out of the golden gates of Cobham, it's easy to get lost in what's going on at Chelsea, so let's take a look how Xabi's newly formed side are getting on!
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ByBen LewisPublished July 26, 2026 – Updated July 26, 2026, 9:35 pm BST
Chelsea Check in - How has Xabi's side got on so far?
Xabi handing out instructions to both first team and academy players alike - Image by Darren Walsh
Amidst the high-profile signings of this summer’s transfer window entering Stamford Bridge, let’s take a look at how the squad are actually getting on so far this pre-season.
Chelsea VS Crawley Town
Firstly, the Blues welcomedEFL League Two sideCrawley Town to Cobham in a behind-closed-doors friendly to test both sides.
Chelsea ran out victors in a 3-1 win over The Reds, andXabi Alonso organised his boys in blue in a standard 4-2-3-1 formation as opposed to his traditionally favoured 3-4-2-1 setup.
Jamie Gittensshowed signs of promise as he netted a goal in an effort to live up to his hefty £53 million price tag following an injury-driven and overly unsuccessful season.
Then cameLiam Delap, who slotted home, yet another goalscorer who failed to properly get off the mark last season. The number 9 only scored 3 times in a whopping 47 appearances, with only one coming in thePremier League.
Finally, debutantEmmanuel Emegha found the net following his transfer fromStrasbourg this summer. The 6 '5 striker scored 8 times in only 18 appearances for theLigue 1 side, with goals coming in both domestic and European competition, but received restricted game time due to a poor attitude.
Cobham graduates,Landon Emenalo andMahdi Nicoll-Jazuli started the game for Alonso's side before fellow academy boys,Reggie Walsh,Ryan Kavuma-McQueen,Genesis Antwi,Reggie Watson andCalvin Diakite joined them at the break alongside 17-year-old debutant,Dastan Satpayev.
Dastan is a Kazakhstan International goalscorer and has scored 16 top-flight goals in his first two seasons, four of which came in 12 appearances in theUEFA Champions League.
Chelsea VS Bromley
Next, Chelsea welcomedEFL League One sideBromley to the Cobham fortress, where Chelsea dismantled their visitors 3-0 in a controlled victory.
Xabi Alonso once again opted for the standard 4-2-3-1 formation as he handed highly rated academy defender Landon Emenalo a second consecutive start this pre-season.
Once again, forwards Jamie Gittens and new signing Emmanuel Emegha found themselves on the score sheet but were this time joined by Chelsea’s top scorer last season,João Pedro.
João proved to be one of a few key players now being integrated into this pre-season squad alongsideCole Palmer andRobert Sanchez, who reclaimed his position in the last line of defence.
Once again, youngsters Reggie Walsh, Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli featured from the bench as they look to add first team minutes to their names.
Australia and Southern Asia Tour
Chelsea have now arrived in Sydney for the start of theBlues’ pre-season tour ahead of our first League game away to London rivalsFulham on August 24th.
The travelling squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Robert Sanchez, Ted Curd, Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Levi Colwill, Calvin Diakite, Landon Emenalo, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra, Mamadou Sarr, Tayo Subuloye.
Midfielders: Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Madhi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh, Reggie Watson.
Forwards: Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Omari Kellyman, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Dastan Satpeyev, Estevao Willian
Chelsea will first faceWestern Sydney Wanderers andTottenham Hotspur in Sydney before heading to Hong Kong to face European Giants,Juventus. TheBlues will then face their Italian counterparts,AC Milan, in Jakarta before finishing the tour by playingJohor Darul Ta’zim in Johor.
As a final test, Chelsea will make the trip back to Stamford Bridge for one final pre-season fixture againstLaLigacontenders,Real Sociedad.
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