For the second summer in a row, Chelsea recruited a forward from Brighton, signing Welbeck to join forces with Joao Pedro again and strengthen their attacking options. The 35-year-old Welbeck used the ball efficiently, but limited service restricted him to only 17 touches before he was taken off in the 71st minute. While Joao Pedro […]
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With Rogers, Palmer and Joao Pedro delivering impressive attacking performances this season, the Blues understand that their defensive weaknesses must be addressed. Alonso said his side created one or two promising opportunities to score the winner but remained vulnerable at the other end. He admitted he was disappointed, believed the team could improve and felt […]
Continue ReadingWhile Haaland is primarily known as a dedicated goalscorer, Joao Pedro has operated in midfield, as a number 10 and on the wing throughout his career, giving him a broader range of abilities. Alonso, who played 195 matches with former Ballon d’Or winner Benzema at Real Madrid, also identified similarities between the French striker and […]
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For the leading Premier League sides, this tournament typically provides a chance to test young talent and offer much-needed playing time to squad members on the fringes. Yet Danny Welbeck, aged 35, was the only starter to make a convincing argument for a more prominent role, scoring two goals in the process. Valentin Barco found […]
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Chelsea’s collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion last April may eventually be remembered as a decisive moment. That embarrassing defeat hastened Liam Rosenior’s departure and prompted the Stamford Bridge leadership to reassess its plans, resulting in Xabi Alonso’s arrival, a revised recruitment approach, the JP Morgan attacking trio and Robert Sánchez losing his position as […]
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Head coach Xabi Alonso says Enzo Fernandez has displayed an “excellent mentality” since returning to Chelsea, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the midfielder’s future. In late May, Chelsea reached an agreement with Fernandez’s representative, Javier Pastore, allowing the Argentina international to depart for £120m, with 14 August established as the deadline for offers. No official proposal […]
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Chelsea’s difficulties continued as their pre-season campaign concluded with an unusually heated draw against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. The warning signs are concerning: an overcrowded group of attacking players, reminders of last season’s lack of experience and discipline, and less than two weeks for new head coach Xabi Alonso to bring important players back […]
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Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso says he has devised a way to use British-record £117m arrival Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer and expects the England midfielder to make an immediate difference. Rogers became the costliest British footballer in history after completing his transfer from Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge last week. The 24-year-old is taking […]
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Rogers cannot easily be assigned to one clearly defined position. As is true for any player, making full use of his qualities requires an understanding of the broader responsibilities he can handle. His most effective role may also vary according to his team-mates and the opposition’s tactical approach. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery made Rogers […]
Continue ReadingRogers and his new teammate Palmer share a long-standing bond that stretches back years — a connection that actually sparked Palmer’s now-iconic ‘cold’ goal ritual. The midfielder debuted the gesture in December 2023 after netting twice during a 3-2 victory away at Luton. He has since fully embraced the celebration as his own, even securing […]
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