Chelsea don arrange two behind-closed-doors friendlies as Xabi Alonso dey step up preparations for im first season at Stamford Bridge. The Blues go face Crawley Town and Bromley at Cobham before dem fly go Australia for dia public pre-season schedule.
According to reports, Chelsea go play the private matches on Saturday 18 July and Thursday 23 July. Only coaching staff from the clubs go watch the games. Alonso lead im first full training session on Thursday, with Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill among the players wey dey involved.
Several internationals still dey for World Cup. Enzo Fernández go play for final, while Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Malo Gusto get third-place match before dem return to club duty. The two games go give Alonso important opportunity to assess the players wey already dey work for Cobham.
Chelsea no go treat the results as important. The manager fit instead focus on fitness, positioning and how quickly the squad understand im instructions. The private fixtures should also give academy players and fringe members of the group chance to impress before Chelsea finalise dia travelling squad.
As Read Chelsea report after Alonso first training session, the new head coach get only short period for Cobham before travel begin. Chelsea start dia public schedule against Western Sydney Wanderers on 28 July. Dem then go face Tottenham for Sydney before dem continue the tour for Asia.
The Blues begin dia Premier League campaign away at Fulham on 24 August. Alonso go use every available session and friendly to prepare a squad wey still dey return for stages from the World Cup.
