Bonding & building - what we learned about Alonso's Chelsea in pre-season

Chelsea undertook extensive preparations to ease the demands of the pre‑season tour. In a move likened to hiring a private Airbus A340, the club immediately shifted the squad to Sydney time and instructed players to rest after meals during the flight, which included a stop at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka, before touching down in Australia. Training took place at Sky Park, the home of Sydney FC, granting the team access to a compact yet high‑quality facility, supplemented by an open session at Allianz Stadium that was deliberately low in intensity. These sessions offered a clear view of head coach Xabi Alonso’s hands‑on style. He frequently demonstrated his passing range, working with players such as Estevao Willian by encouraging him to deliver crosses with his weaker left foot for teammates to finish. Alonso also struck a 25‑yard half‑volley into the net at the conclusion of the same drill, a reminder of the qualities that earned him recognition as one of the game’s elite midfielders during his spells at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. England defender Levi Colwill admitted he was “jealous” of how good Alonso could “spray balls around”. Midfielder Romeo Lavia praised the manager, saying, “The manager was a great player, one of the best of his generation,” adding, “You see that when he steps into a training session. ‘He starts pinging balls around in a manner only those who have played at the top level can. It’s a privilege to be working with him, particularly as a midfielder.’” Les Kiss, the Australian rugby national head coach and a Chelsea supporter, visited after a short trip from his office and exchanged shirts with Alonso. The touring party included several 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds, most notably Sydney‑born Mahdi Nicoll‑Jazuli, who emerged as one of the tour’s breakout performers with a string of impressive midfield displays. His performances attracted considerable attention from Australian media, owing to his mother’s ties to the city and the prospect of a future national‑team call‑up, despite his current involvement with England Under‑17s. Younger players were given time off to visit the cinema, take boat trips and engage with local culture. The team’s luxury hotel, overlooking Darling Harbour, provided table tennis, darts and video games for recreation. A quieter phase of the trip arrived when Chelsea and Tottenham players, who would later meet in front of 80,000 fans on Saturday, were allowed to explore the city. Sponsor‑linked events were held near Bondi Beach, while another outing saw the squad visit North Sydney Pool beneath the Harbour Bridge. There they completed a gym circuit before being granted access to the spa and Olympic‑sized pool. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez also appeared on meal television ahead of the match. Colwill characterised the experience as a fantastic team‑bonding trip, although the 6‑4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham’s 2‑1 result indicated that the project Alonso is building remains in its early stages. Observers noted the initial resemblance to Mauricio Pochettino’s approach, with a strong focus on fitness, before tactical concepts were introduced as senior internationals returned from duty. During the opening three fixtures, Alonso largely retained the 4‑2‑3‑1 formation favoured by his predecessor Maresca and previously employed during Liam Rosenior’s brief tenure. Key figures such as co‑owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Joe Shields were present in Australia. Trans‑time‑zone logistical considerations continued as the club pursued potential signings for Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and the Spanish defender Pep Chavarria. Alonso also conducted one‑on‑one work with the newly arrived Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson following their World Cup commitments, physically assessing them as they received passes from the coaching staff. Australia served as the backdrop for Cole Palmer’s inaugural pre‑match media conference. He appeared relaxed, smiled, shared anecdotes and, in his own blunt manner, came across as charismatic. Alonso praised Palmer’s fitness and eagerness upon his return, labelling him a “leader”—a sentiment reflected in the manager’s interactions with the younger players throughout the tour.