Xabi Alonso has admitted to feeling 'emotional' after experiencing his first match in the Stamford Bridge dugout as Chelsea manager. The Spaniard watched his side secure a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad to conclude their pre-season preparations in style.
Xabi Alonso secured his first victory at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager, concluding their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Real Sociedad. While the performance offered plenty of tactical intrigue, the afternoon was somewhat overshadowed by a polarized reaction from the home crowd toward Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea's teenage forward Dastan Satpayev has joined Burnley on a season-long loan after officially completing his long-anticipated transfer to Stamford Bridge from Kairat. The 18-year-old Kazakhstan international, who recently committed to the Blues until 2033, heads straight to Turf Moor with the clear aim of securing regular first-team football.
Free agent Jadon Sancho is leaning towards continuing his career abroad despite attracting interest and contract offers from several Premier League clubs. The 26-year-old winger is currently assessing his future six weeks after leaving Manchester United, with former club Borussia Dortmund among the prominent European sides monitoring his situation.
Stamford Bridge is prepared to welcome back the Champions League anthem this season, but in a surreal twist, it will not be for Chelsea. Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk are in advanced negotiations to use the iconic West London venue as their temporary home for Europe’s premier club competition.
Como have reportedly turned their attention to Chelsea striker Liam Delap after negotiations for Moise Kean hit a roadblock. The ambitious Italian club are actively searching for attacking reinforcements to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.