Chelsea vs AC Milan gives Alonso chance to fix worrying issue
Chelsea vs AC Milan gives Xabi Alonso an important opportunity to find more attacking rhythm after successive pre-season defeats raised questions over how quickly his new-look side is coming together.
Chelsea were beaten by Tottenham in Sydney before losing 1-0 against Juventus in Hong Kong. Results remain secondary during pre-season, but the lack of cutting edge across those games gives Alonso something tangible to address in Jakarta.
The meeting with Milan kicks off at 1pm BST on Saturday and comes just 24 hours before Chelsea complete their tour against Johor Darul Ta’zim. ReadChelsea has the full Chelsea vs AC Milan kick-off and viewing information here.
Chelsea have enough attacking talent for creating chances to become a strength under Alonso.
Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Liam Delap have all featured during the tour, while further options will become available as the squad settles after a disrupted summer.
The issue against stronger opposition has been turning possession into sustained danger.
Chelsea struggled to build attacking momentum during the defeat to Juventus, with Alonso’s side unable to find an equaliser after falling behind. AC Milan therefore offer another useful measure against high-level European opposition before attention gradually turns towards competitive football.
Cole Palmer could make an important difference.
Palmer missed the Juventus game after suffering a contact injury against Tottenham, with Alonso explaining that his absence was precautionary rather than a recurrence of the groin problem which previously troubled him.
His availability would immediately give Chelsea another player capable of receiving between the lines and creating chances in crowded areas.
Alonso does not need Palmer to solve Chelsea’s attack alone. He does need to see signs that the supporting pieces around his most creative player are beginning to connect.
Alonso still has decisions on Chelsea’s left side
The balance down Chelsea’s left could also come under scrutiny.
Jorrel Hato has been used there during pre-season, but Pep Chavarria is now closing in on his move from Rayo Vallecano. ReadChelsea analysed on Friday how Chavarria’s arrival could change Hato’s role under Alonso.
Chavarria’s experience as a natural left-back would give Alonso the option of moving Hato inside more regularly, potentially providing a different structure behind Chelsea’s attacking players.
That flexibility matters because Alonso has repeatedly stressed the importance of collective understanding rather than relying solely on individual quality. ReadChelsea covered Alonso’s latest message about building a Chelsea side capable of competing anywhere on Friday.
Chelsea’s demanding schedule also makes Saturday intriguing.
The club’s official pre-season schedule confirms that Milan are followed by Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia on Sunday, meaning Alonso is likely to continue spreading minutes across his squad.
That makes the performance more important than simply naming the strongest possible XI.
Chelsea do not need to look finished in Jakarta. They do need to show progress.
More incisive possession and clearer combinations around the penalty area would provide Alonso with exactly that before his first pre-season tour enters its final stretch.
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