Chelsea will face Premier League opposition for the first time under Xabi Alonso in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday morning.
Manager Xabi Alonso of Chelsea during a training session at Sky Park on July 31, 2026 in Sydney, Australia
Xabi Alonso in Chelsea pre-season training(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso has been putting the Chelsea players through their paces ahead of this weekend's pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. The Blues will lock horns with Roberto De Zerbi's side at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, August 1, as they step up preparations for the new campaign.
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Speaking to reporters at Sky Park ahead of the clash, the Chelsea manager reflected on his time down under. Alonso said: "Yes, so far so good. It's been a great experience to come here to Australia, a country with big sports apart from football, but football is as well popular.
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"It has great support, and we have seen that from training sessions, from the game, and tomorrow we are expecting a good crowd. It's getting more and more this energy from the people, and the facilities are good. You see here from Sydney, it's top level, and we are really happy."
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On facing Tottenham, Alonso said: "It's a good game, it will be an exciting game, we want to play a good game but it's still precision, so there will be circumstances or there are already plans, because it's a friendly game, probably in a competitive moment you don't have already plans, so there will be minutes for many players, but it's going to be exciting for sure."
Spurs will be the first Premier League opposition that the Blues have faced under Alonso. So, with bragging rights at stake, football.london has looked at five things you may have missed in training ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham.
Alonso and Caicedo get to work
Moises Caicedo, who has only recently joined the Chelsea squad in Sydney, Australia, ahead of this weekend's clash against Tottenham, has finally had the chance to work with Alonso. Eager to make up for lost time after reporting for pre-season late due to the World Cup, the duo worked closely on the training pitch.
During one particular drill, the Blues manager was spotted speaking directly to Caicedo. Alonso, who's an admirer of the Ecuador international, was gesturing as he appeared to convey his tactics and communicate his demands for the double pivot role.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the former Liverpool midfielder described Caicedo as 'one of the best holding midfielders in the world'. Alonso said: "When I saw him yesterday, I saw I've been missing my midfielders because I really admire from outside, you see his quality, his heart, his mentality.
"I know the Ecuadorian players, they are different, and I had heard a lot. I spoke with him on the phone, but it was first contact, and he's a top, top player, for me one of the best holding midfielders in the world, no doubt. And now he's here, now it's time to start working and to help him get improving and getting better."
Chelsea youngster gets stuck in
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli wasn't afraid to get stuck and throw his weight around in training. The 16-year-old midfielder has already made quite the impression in pre-season this summer, and he'll be hoping to make his senior debut under Alonso this season.
Cole Palmer is already a big fan. Speaking to reporters on Friday, the Chelsea talisman said: "He's funny. He's confident. Heβs only 16. But he's got all the attributes to play at this club.
"Even next season, he could possibly be ready. But it's on him if he wants to work hard and keep his focus, but he definitely has all the talents to do what he wants."
Aaron Anselmino, Estevao Willian, and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, in the orange bib, during a Chelsea training session
Aaron Anselmino, Estevao Willian, and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, in the orange bib, during a Chelsea training session
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Forgotten Chelsea star arrives
Nicolas Jackson has also recently joined the Chelsea squad in Sydney, Australia. The 25-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, didn't shy away from getting on the ball, hoping to impress Alonso ahead of the new campaign.
Estevao and Alonso lock horns
Estevao Willian and Alonso went head-to-head, metaphorically, of course. During one particular drill, the Chelsea winger had to take on and dribble past his manager, who's taken quite the hands-on approach in training so far.
Estevao Willian and Manager Xabi Alonso of Chelsea during a training session at Sky Park on July 31, 2026 in Sydney, Australia
Estevao Willian and Xabi Alonso in Chelsea training
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Chelsea secret weapon watches on
Willie Isa, who Chelsea appointed as player support and development officer last year, was spotted watching training from afar on the sidelines. The 37-year-old has previously been described as a 'cultural architect' and a 'mentality monster' by his former rugby league colleagues.
So, the Blues in need of some more silverware and qualification to the Champions League, Alonso will be hoping Isa can work his magic this season...