Xabi Alonso kicked off his Chelsea tenure with a stunning 6-4 comeback win over Australian A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers, and below are our player ratings.
Alonso named a youthful Chelsea side to take on the A-League’s rock-bottom side at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. A total of six academy players were included in the XI, including Landon Emenalo.
CONFIRMED: Chelsea XI to face Western Sydney Wanderers.
Xabi Alonso has included a whole host of Chelsea academy stars in his first XI.
Reggie Watson, Reggie Walsh, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Tayo Subuloye all started the game. A 4-2-3-1 system, with Subuloye at right-back and Walsh in the no.10 position.
Only one player completed the entire 90 minutes, with midfielder Reggie Watson impressing in the middle of the park for Alonso’s men. A real signal of intent from the midfielder out in Australia.
Obviously, as it was Chelsea’s first pre-season game, plenty of changes were made throughout after Alonso named 14 players on his bench. Below, The Chelsea Chronicle rates how each player played.
Chelsea player ratings from win against Western Sydney
Teddy Sharman-Lowe – 6
Could do little about any of Western Sydney Wanderers’ first three goals. Dealt with the awful conditions when in possession and denied the A-League side on a few occasions. Frustrating to have let in three.
Tayo Subuloye – 6
Comfortable on the ball, despite naturally being a centre-back. The Young Scholar of the Season did not shine like Landon Emenalo on the left, but did what was required of him.
Josh Acheampong – 3
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Should have done a whole lot better with Western Sydney’s first, allowing the flick on without challenge. He was too easily done for Western Sydney’s second as Aidan Hammond got past him. Poor performance.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 3
Some errant passing from Chelsea’s captain when in possession, and he seemed a yard off the pace, not getting tight enough to Western Sydney’s attackers. Missed an absolute sitter on 43 minutes.
Landon Emenalo – 8
There’s plenty of hype around Michael’s son, and it is easy to see why. The left-footed flyer got up and down the flank with ease, a constant danger in attack and solid in defence. Should have scored on 55.
Dario Essugo – 8
Difficult for Essugo to gather control, but drove forward well in possession. He started and finished Chelsea’s beautifully constructed second goal, a superb finish. His best moment in a Chelsea shirt.
Reggie Watson – 8
Bustling performance from youngster Watson, who has caught the eye this summer. Got forward well, happy to take a player on while putting tackles in. The only player to complete the entire 90 minutes.
Dastan Satpaev – 8
What a start for the unofficial Chelsea player. He took full advantage of FIFA’s decision to allow him to link up with Chelsea, with Satpaev a trialist until he turns 18. Superb finish for the first, involved in the second.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Reggie Walsh – 8
Sitting in attacking midfield, Walsh picked up some lovely positions in the gaps. Tried an effort from 30 yards in the first half which required tipping over, before an assist for Chelsea’s second.
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen – 8
A gorgeous assist from Kavuma-McQueen for Satpaev’s goal was the highlight of a superb display. He was probably Chelsea’s biggest threat in the first half on the right, having an effort tipped over the bar.
Liam Delap – 4
Looked half a yard off the pace, Delap struggled to get involved in the game. A first effort in the first half was blazed over, before a similar chance was saved. He looked frustrated. Typical Delap foul on 57.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Subs
Omari Kellyman -N/A (‘46)
Struggled to get the ball under control on a few occasions. Subbed off again 17 minutes later, which is telling. Could be one to keep an eye on moving forward in terms of outgoings.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli – 7 (’46)
Some neat passing and runs off the ball. Really exciting performance with the Aussie support in full voice for the Sydney-born talent. Not shy to get forward and break the lines, key role in Chelsea’s fourth goal.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Robert Sanchez – 6 (’63)
Had nothing to do apart from picking the ball out of the net as Western Sydney’s fourth went under him from close range; could do nothing about it. Good distribution, and it was quick. Positives.
Estevao – 5 (’63)
Brilliant solo run on 77 minutes, driving into the box and shooting, but his slightly tame shot was saved. But he then lost the ball, and it led to Western Sydney scoring a fourth. Missed a sitter on 84 minutes.
Marco Palestra – 6 (’63)
Got forward well and the rumours of his explosive speed are obvious. Linked up well with Estevao and Cole Palmer. A neat and tidy first outing for Chelsea’s new £47m man. Nasty knock in injury time.
Cole Palmer – 8 (’63)
Some instantly good touches and combinations. Class above. Bit of an aura and leadership about him. Key role in Chelsea’s fourth, assist for the fifth. Genuinely, Palmer looked back to his brilliant best.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
Photo by Matt King/Getty Images
Joao Pedro – 10 (’63)
Lovely assist for Chelsea’s third as Jamie Gittens scored. Powerhouse and proved it with his forward runs. Chelsea are a better team when Pedro is playing. Incredible hat-trick won Chelsea the game. Mercurial.
Two calm finishes initially, followed by a close-range finish. Three goals and an assist – with his three goals scored in the space of nine minutes – is some going. World-class cameo from the Brazil international.
Wesley Fofana – 5 (’63)
Lack of composure and concentration by feeding a pass into Estevao on such a poor pitch, which led to Western Sydney’s fourth. Composed in possession but little else to note.
Jamie Gittens – 7 (’63)
Got his third goal in as many pre-season games with a close-range finish. Looks fitter, looks sharper, looks like a player that could be worth £55m. Cross into the box led to Pedro’s goal, returning the favour.
FBL-AUS-CHELSEA-WANDERERS
Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images
Aaron Anselmino – 6 (’63)
Used at left-back, which could possibly be a route into the side for the Argentine after his return from Strasbourg. Looked solid, good in possession. Great, strong defending to deny a counter on 85 minutes.
Levi Colwill – 6 (’63)
The defence looked immediately assured with Colwill’s calmness and assurance at the back. A captain’s performance from a man wearing the armband, even if Western Sydney did then go and score a fourth.
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