Five Chelsea stars who can force Alonso’s hand vs Real Sociedad
Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad gives several players one last major opportunity to force their way into Xabi Alonso’s plans before the Premier League begins.
Saturday’s 2pm BST meeting at Stamford Bridge is the final scheduled test before Chelsea open their league campaign away to Fulham on 24 August. It will also be Alonso’s first match in charge at the Bridge.
Results remain secondary in pre-season, but selection is becoming much more important.
Chelsea’s squad has changed significantly during the summer and there are still positions Alonso needs to settle. Here are five players with plenty to gain against Real Sociedad.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers arrives at Stamford Bridge carrying the pressure that inevitably follows a £117million transfer.
Chelsea did not spend a British-record fee simply to add another attacking option. Alonso has already described Rogers as a “great signing” and explained how he believes the England international can operate alongside Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s official explanation of Alonso’s plan for Rogers and Palmer suggests the manager sees both as important pieces rather than competing versions of the same player.
ReadChelsea has also examined three ways Chelsea could line up with Rogers.
Saturday offers an opportunity to start turning those ideas into something tangible.
A humble response from Morgan Rogers on being talked about as world-class 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AGXaXhe7oc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2026
Pep Chavarria
Pep Chavarria has barely had time to settle in London after completing his move from Rayo Vallecano this week.
Chelsea signed the 28-year-old to strengthen the left side following Marc Cucurella’s departure, with his experience providing something different within a young squad.
The question is how quickly Alonso trusts him.
Chavarria can immediately put himself in contention by showing the defensive aggression and intensity that helped convince Chelsea to complete the deal.
His arrival also creates competition for Jorrel Hato and gives Alonso another option if he wants his full-backs to operate differently depending on the opponent.
Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia’s challenge is no longer simply getting back onto the pitch.
The Belgian now needs to prove he can become a dependable part of Alonso’s strongest midfield.
Enzo Fernandez staying at Chelsea removes one potential opening, while Moises Caicedo remains central to the team. That leaves Lavia fighting for a defined role rather than merely rebuilding fitness.
His technical qualities have never really been the issue. Availability and rhythm have.
A strong performance tomorrow would give Alonso another reason to trust him when the competitive games arrive.
Liam Delap
Liam Delap may have more at stake than anybody on this list.
Chelsea have been willing to consider offers for the striker, with his place becoming increasingly uncertain in a crowded forward department. ReadChelsea previously reported that Chelsea were prepared to listen to offers for Delap.
Delap did score during Alonso’s opening behind-closed-doors win over Crawley, but João Pedro and Chelsea’s other attacking options have increased the competition around him.
Tomorrow therefore represents both a selection opportunity and a reminder of what Delap can still offer Chelsea.
If his future remains unresolved, every good performance strengthens his position.
Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto enters the new season facing a very different right-back picture.
Reece James remains Chelsea captain, while Marco Palestra’s arrival has added another specialist option on that side.
ReadChelsea has previously looked at how Palestra’s arrival increases the pressure on Gusto.
Gusto still provides Premier League experience, pace and the ability to attack space from deep, but he needs a clear role under Alonso.
Real Sociedad gives him another opportunity to demonstrate why Chelsea should continue viewing him as an important part of their right-sided options.
Alonso’s Chelsea XI is beginning to take shape
Alonso does not need to name his Premier League team tomorrow.
He does, however, need to start narrowing the possibilities.
Chelsea have spent heavily, welcomed World Cup players back at different stages and continued reshaping the squad almost until the competitive season begins.
The Real Sociedad friendly is the last controlled environment Alonso has before league points become the priority.
For Rogers, Chavarria, Lavia, Delap and Gusto, it is an opportunity to make his final decisions significantly harder.
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