A first outing under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was anything but quiet.
The Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers friendly produced 10 goals, plenty of encouraging moments and a few familiar concerns as the Blues claimed an entertaining 6-4 victory in Sydney.
While the result itself matters little in the context of Chelsea pre-season, the performance offered an early glimpse into what Alonso wants from his side. New signings impressed, young players took their chances, and there were already clear signs of the areas Chelsea still need to improve before the competitive campaign begins.
Here are the biggest talking points from Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers: Five Key Lessons From Alonso’s First Game
1. Dario Essugo Showed He Is Ready To Compete
One of the biggest positives from Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers was the performance of Dario Essugo.
The Portuguese midfielder has endured a frustrating start to life at Stamford Bridge after injury limited his opportunities last season. Given a rare start, Essugo made the most of it with an energetic display in midfield and a well-taken goal to bring Chelsea level before half-time.
More impressive than the finish was his ability to carry the ball through midfield. Several powerful runs relieved pressure on Chelsea’s defence and helped launch quick attacks, something Alonso will value in his system.
It remains to be seen whether Essugo stays with the first team or heads out on loan, but this performance certainly strengthened his case. After the match, when asked about his future, the midfielder simply smiled and replied:
“I am a Chelsea player.”
It was exactly the kind of display that makes selection decisions more difficult for the new Chelsea manager as Chelsea pre-season continues.
2. Joao Pedro Announced Himself in Style
The standout individual performance came from Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian came off the bench in the second half and completely changed the game, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in less than 10 minutes to turn an entertaining contest into a memorable one.
Although a friendly, the Joao Pedro hat-trick showcased his strengths, with a clinical performance that delighted Alonso.
Speaking afterwards, the new Chelsea manager praised his striker’s mentality, saying Joao Pedro is determined to enjoy a big season while stressing that the team must provide him with the service to succeed.
“He’s very hungry – Joao is really, really determined to have a great season,” Alonso said to reporters post-match.
“After a great last year where he scored many goals, I think that he wants to keep scoring more and more. But we need to help him, as on his own it’s not possible.
“He will have the players around him and they need to have this hunger to score as well. It’s not just about the striker, but every time that we win and our striker scores, I am happy.”
If this Joao Pedro hat-trick is any indication of what lies ahead, Chelsea supporters have every reason to be excited heading into the new campaign.
3. Dastan Satpaev Looks Like Another Exciting Young Talent
Another player to emerge with plenty of credit was teenage forward Dastan Satpaev.
The Kazakhstan international may only officially join Chelsea after turning 18 next month, but he was allowed to feature on tour as an international trialist and immediately showed why the club invested in him.
His early goal was outstanding. Timing his run perfectly before calmly firing into the top corner, Satpaev demonstrated both pace and composure beyond his years.
Alonso revealed afterwards that he had already followed the youngster during his time at Real Madrid and praised his movement, speed and finishing ability.
“I knew Dastan from last year [when his Real Madrid side faced Kairat in the Champions League] in Almaty. He is a goal threat. He attacks very well this inner channel, close to the striker, coming from outside.
“For him, it is coming from Almaty, from his first experience in the club [game]; he has been good. He is really strong, really quick. You will be really impressed with him.”
No one should place unrealistic expectations on a 17-year-old after one appearance, but Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers suggested Satpaev has the attributes to develop into an exciting attacking option.
His display also contrasted sharply with Liam Delap’s difficult afternoon. Delap worked hard but struggled to create meaningful chances and continues to search for consistency after an underwhelming first season at the club.
4. Chelsea’s Game Management Still Needs Work
Despite scoring six goals, not everything was positive during Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers.
Chelsea looked vulnerable defensively throughout the match and twice surrendered leads before eventually pulling away late on.
Alonso admitted afterwards that game management remains an area his side must improve. There were periods when Chelsea struggled to control possession, failed to slow the tempo and allowed Western Sydney Wanderers back into the game.
“There were moments that we were struggling to find solutions and we need to have this – the positives is that we correct them.
“It’s something that will happen often in all the games, and the more situations we have that we are struggling and we find the solutions, the better team we will be.”
Those issues are understandable given it was the first match under a new manager and many players are still building fitness during Chelsea pre-season, but they will need addressing before the Premier League begins.
The attacking football was exciting, but Chelsea supporters will hope future performances feature greater defensive control alongside the attacking flair.
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5. Fitness and Squad Decisions Will Dominate the Rest of Pre-Season
Beyond the result, Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers also provided updates on several important squad situations.
Romeo Lavia missed the match after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. Alonso insisted the decision was purely precautionary and expressed hope that the Belgian will be available for Saturday’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
Even so, any injury concern involving Lavia will naturally worry supporters given his recent fitness record.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen also left the tour to return to London as he explores a possible transfer away from the club, while Alonso rotated heavily throughout the game, using 22 players to spread valuable minutes across the squad.
That rotation is likely to continue throughout Chelsea pre-season as the coaching staff evaluate their options ahead of the new campaign.
The match also reinforced how competitive places could become under the new Chelsea manager. Essugo, Satpaev and Joao Pedro hat-trick scorer all enhanced their reputations, while others still have work to do before the season gets underway.
Ultimately, Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers delivered exactly what pre-season friendlies are meant to provide. The scoreline was entertaining, several young players impressed and Alonso gathered valuable information about his squad.
There were encouraging signs going forward, particularly after the Joao Pedro hat-trick, but Chelsea also exposed weaknesses that require attention. That balance of positives and negatives is typical of Chelsea pre-season, and Alonso will undoubtedly be pleased to have identified both before the competitive fixtures begin.
With tougher opposition still to come, the lessons learned from Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers may prove just as valuable as the six goals Chelsea scored in Sydney.
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