JuicyTalk
Xabi Alonso is determined to build a Chelsea team that “can compete anywhere”.
Chelsea have had a mixed pre-season under Alonso so far, winning a 10-goal thriller 6-4 against the Western Sydney Wanderers before losing to Tottenham and Juventus.
Their next test is against Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in Jakarta as they look to get back to winning ways before their Premier League opener against Fulham on August 24.
Alonso is still waiting to have a full-strength squad, with some players still missing due to their World Cup exploits, but the Spaniard is already working on fostering a strong culture among the group he has.
“We want to have a great team spirit, and that is built on a daily basis with a great culture in the building,” Alonso told a press conference.
Jakarta! pic.twitter.com/p74MU6L4Ml
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 6, 2026
“That helps in the moment you have to compete. You feel better having that togetherness, trust, and the bonds between the players are so important to ultimately building a winning mentality – and a team that can compete anywhere.
“So, the football side is so important, but the mental side is as important. And the strength of the team is the most important.
“We have been able to train and prepare [during pre-season], and I am very happy with the attitude and personality; we know that it’s a very important part of this tour.”
Chelsea face Milan on Saturday and then will round their tour off against Johor Darul Ta’zim on August 9, before concluding their pre-season at Stamford Bridge against Real Sociedad.
