Chelsea vs Tottenham: Xabi Alonso's Pre-Season Challenge

Xabi Alonso is unlikely to treat this as just another pre-season run-out.

Chelsea face Tottenham on Saturday morning in a friendly that carries a little extra edge: Alonso against Roberto De Zerbi, a new project against a familiar Premier League rival, and a fanbase eager to see what this new era actually looks like from the first whistle, not just the final 20 minutes.

Alonso ready to lean on his big hitters

In his second match in charge, Alonso kept most of his headline names on the bench before unleashing them with 25 minutes to play. The game flipped once he did, as Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer, Marco Palestra, Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro all arrived in one sweeping change.

This time, the Spaniard may not wait so long.

Sanchez is in line to replace Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal, a move that would immediately give Chelsea more experience and presence at the back. In front of him, Colwill is pushing to start as he builds fitness at centre-back, a key piece for Alonso if he wants to play on the front foot and squeeze the pitch.

Palestra, a summer signing yet to start in royal blue, is another candidate to come straight into the XI. Alonso has been careful with his integration so far, but the temptation to see him from the first minute against Premier League opposition will be strong.

Young full-backs and fan favourites

On the left, Landon Emenalo has caught Alonso’s eye over the summer and is fighting hard to keep his place. His form means Palestra may have to look elsewhere in the line-up if he is to start, with Emenalo’s energy and composure giving him a genuine shot at holding that role.

Reggie Watson has already written his name into early pre-season conversations. His display against Western Sydney won over the Chelsea support, the kind of performance that forces a manager to look twice when picking his next team sheet. Another chance to impress feels likely.

Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli made a similar impact off the bench in that match. His cameo was sharp enough to put him firmly in contention to start here, as Alonso weighs up which youngsters can carry their promise into a higher-profile test.

Midfield caution with Lavia

Romeo Lavia is fit again after missing the Western Sydney game with hamstring discomfort, but Alonso is expected to resist the urge to throw him straight back in. Given Lavia’s long-standing fitness problems, Chelsea are treading carefully.

The message is clear: pre-season minutes are important, but not at the cost of losing a key midfielder before the real campaign begins.

Attack takes shape

Further forward, the attacking structure is beginning to show some shape.

Dastan Satpayev will hope to keep his place off the left flank after doing enough to convince Alonso he can stretch defences and offer an outlet. On the opposite side, Cole Palmer is poised to come in from the start on the right, bringing the creativity and final-third quality that transformed Chelsea last season.

Reggie Walsh is expected to remain in the No10 role, a sign of trust from Alonso as he knits midfield to attack. Ahead of him, Liam Delap looks set to make way, with Joao Pedro pushing to lead the line from kick-off after his introduction among the late wave of changes last time out.

If Alonso wants his front four to set the tone, this blend of youth, flair and Premier League know-how gives him exactly that.

New signings wait, injuries linger

Not everyone will be involved.

Maxence Lacroix, whose transfer from Crystal Palace was confirmed on Thursday, is unavailable. The same applies to Morgan Rogers, still on post-World Cup holidays and not yet integrated into the squad.

There are also fitness doubts. Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr both missed the Western Sydney match, and their availability for Tottenham remains uncertain. At the other end of the spectrum, Filip Jorgensen has already flown home to complete a transfer, trimming Alonso’s options in goal.

So Alonso walks into this Tottenham clash with a squad that is talented but not yet complete, full of moving parts and decisions that will shape the opening weeks of his reign.

It is only pre-season on paper. On the pitch, it is an early test of how bold he is willing to be.