Chelsea welcomed Real Sociedad to Stamford Bridge for their final pre-season friendly, with new manager Xabi Alonso making his debut in the home dugout. The match, which kicked off at 2pm BST, saw several new signings feature for Chelsea as the club concluded its pre-season preparations.
The Blues had spent the summer on tour in Australia and Asia, playing five games under Alonso, who previously managed Real Sociedad. His first match at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager included a lineup featuring new arrivals and returning World Cup players.
Team Lineups and New Signings
Alonso selected a starting XI that included new signings Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, and Marco Palestra, all making their first appearances in Chelsea colours. Rogers and Lacroix were confirmed to be playing their initial games for the club, with Palestra also starting.
The lineup also featured Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Joao Pedro. Reece James captained the side and was expected to play alongside Moises Caicedo in midfield. Rob Sanchez was in goal for Chelsea.
On the substitutes’ bench, Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarria were named and had the potential to make their Chelsea debuts. Other notable players on the bench included Enzo Fernandez, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Real Sociedad’s starting lineup included Remiro, Aramburu, Barrenetxea (captain), Oskarsson, Herrera, Take Kubo, Gomez, Soler, Suci, Martin, and Beitia. Their substitutes featured players such as Marrero, Zubeldia, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who returned after an extended holiday.
Match Action and Key Moments
The match saw Chelsea take an early lead, but Real Sociedad equalised just before half-time. Jon Aramburu scored for Real Sociedad in the 45th minute, bringing the score to 1-1 at the break. This goal followed a period where Chelsea had appeared somewhat flat after their initial lead, despite flashes of skill from players like Neto and Rogers.
Earlier in the game, Rob Sanchez made several important saves for Chelsea. He denied Jon Martin with a stunning save and then prevented Oskarsson from scoring an equaliser. Sanchez also kept out an effort from close range after Kubo’s free-kick was blocked by the wall.
Pedro Neto was noted for his positive play on the right wing, demonstrating strong running and direct attacking. He drove towards the area and earned a free-kick for Chelsea, which Remiro had to be alert to handle. Rogers also contributed to the attacking play, though he lost possession at one point, leading to a free-kick for Real Sociedad in a dangerous position.
During a hydration break, Reece James was observed in conversation with manager Xabi Alonso near the touchline. The match also saw Enzo Fernandez receive a mixed reception from the crowd, with some boos when his name was announced, but also applause as he stretched during warm-ups and later stopped for selfies with children.
The match was available to watch live on the Chelsea Official App and Chelsea website for those with a CFC+ subscription, though the stream was not available in Spain.
Pre-Season Context and Player Availability
Real Sociedad had performed well against English opposition during their pre-season schedule. The return of Mikel Oyarzabal to their squad after an extended holiday further strengthened their side for the friendly against Chelsea.
For Chelsea, the availability of their remaining World Cup stars provided a boost for Alonso’s first home game. This allowed for a stronger squad selection, including the new signings who were in contention to make their debuts. The match served as a final opportunity for the team to refine their play before the start of the competitive season.
The friendly concluded with the score at 1-1 at half-time, following Jon Aramburu’s goal for Real Sociedad in the 45th minute.
Source: chelseafc.com