Two Years Later,
What's Changed?

August 3, 2026
by Aaron Mateer

Two years ago, Chelsea visited the US for their pre-season tour. On July 24, 2024, they played Xrexham at Levi Stadium. I was there in Santa Clara for the game. It was the beginning of the Enzo Maresca era, his first game in charge. A few players were missing from the squad after the Euros, like Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, but it was the first impression of how Maresca would shape the team.

I don't believe in reading too much into what happens during pre-season games, especially since this particular game ended 2-2. However, Maresca's inverted full-back system was the subject of much discussion. Sure enough, Reece James started the game in midfield.

Two games into this summer's tour of Australia and Asia, I began to think about what's changed since then. Xabi Alonso is now at the helm and is known for a bold, entertaining brand of football. Like I said, pre-season results shouldn't be taken seriously, but I think there are some signs that things are improving at Chelsea.

Watching Chelsea from the Pacific Time Zone, I'm used to odd kick-off times - I'm looking at you, 4:30AM Premier League games. The pre-season games in Australia, however, have been on another level of dedication. I've come to the realization that my level of fanhood includes watching a 2:45AM kick-off.

I will never claim to be an expert tactical commentator. Having watched English soccer my whole life, I can observe and appreciate the strategic side of the game. However, my love of the game centers on the spectacle, not the technical. 

Soccer is very much a momentum sport. If you saw any World Cup games this summer, Argentina were all about capitalizing on momentum. With that in mind, what I've noticed about Alonso's Chelsea is not necessarily a major tactical breakthrough, but the greater urgency to play the ball forward.

If Maresca was about drawing teams out, playing sideways and backwards to coax teams out of formation, then Alonso is about possession with a purpose to go forward. Most of the goals Chelsea have conceded against Western Sydney and Tottenham came while the younger/development players were on the pitch, so it's hard to say whether, defensively, Alonso's strategy comes with risks. Once the World Cup players and the new signings join the group we'll know more.

Pre-season is always a time of optimism. It's when hopes build to their apex before the new season kicks off. I've thought Chelsea looked like contenders multiple times in the last several years only to have the false dawn revealed before the festive fixture period. That being said, I think something different is happening this summer at Chelsea. The signings have more purpose. Palestra, Lacroix, and Rogers are proven improvements. Henderson and Wellbeck are experienced reinforcements.

The true test begins away at Fulham, three weeks from today. I expect to see that the purposeful summer transfer business will combine with the purposeful possession on the pitch, and for the first time in a long time, Chelsea fans will have a domestic season to be excited about, but I've been wrong before.