Chelsea pre-season: What we learned about Xabi Alonso's side

Chelsea's pre-season campaign served as the first major test for new head coach Xabi Alonso. Despite the logistical challenge of traveling over 24,500 miles, the Spanish manager focused on establishing a culture of accountability and honing tactical structures. Alonso's hands-on approach, often joining training drills, set a standard that resonated with the squad during the demanding tour.

A significant highlight was the return of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian forward received a warm welcome back to the fold and made an immediate impact, providing an assist against Johor Darul Ta'zim. Furthermore, the arrival of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee marked a tactical shift, with the team showing immediate improvement in dead-ball situations, including two goals from corners against AC Milan.

While Alonso primarily utilized the 4-2-3-1 formation, he offered a glimpse of his preferred system against Milan by deploying wing-backs in a back-three, a setup that brought him significant success in the Bundesliga. As the team returns to their Cobham base, the focus shifts to finalizing these tactical patterns ahead of the competitive season.