Rogers' debut, 3-4-3 and Fernandez's reception - Alonso's mixed Chelsea display

Chelsea vs Real Sociedad; Friendly Match

Chelsea vs Real Sociedad. Friendly Match.

2:00pm, Saturday 15th August 2026.

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Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad: Xabi Alonso deploys back three again as Morgan Rogers scores and Enzo Fernandez receives mixed reaction

Xabi Alonso wins first home match as Chelsea end pre-season with victory; Alonso deploys 3-4-3 formation that was successful at Bayer Leverkusen; Chelsea struggle in first half; Morgan Rogers scores on debut; Joao Pedro nets twice; Enzo Fernandez booed and cheered by supporters

Saturday 15 August 2026 16:13, UK

Image:Morgan Rogers celebrates his first goal for Chelsea during a friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea ended pre-season with a mixed 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad as manager Xabi Alonso offered more clues about the formation his side could play ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham.

For a third straight match, Chelsea started with a back three, replicating Alonso's successful 3-4-3 system from his time at Bayer Leverkusen when they won the Bundesliga in 2024, as British-record signing Morgan Rogers and defender Maxence Lacroix both made their debuts.

However, despite Rogers netting a tap-in within just 10 minutes, Chelsea laboured in the first-half, sitting too deep and unable to press their LaLiga opponents, who deservedly equalised before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu's brilliant volley after forcing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into several saves.

But Alonso sent his side out unchanged after the break and they were much improved, Joao Pedro heading in from Reece James' cross just two minutes into the half before the striker netted his seventh of pre-season late on with a tidy finish.

Enzo Fernandez, though, added to Chelsea's mixed afternoon when his introduction as a 62nd-minute substitute was met by boos from some supporters following his transfer links with Manchester City, but also cheers from others who sang his name.

The key talking points from Stamford Bridge

What's next?

Chelsea's Premier League campaign begins at Fulham in the first Monday Night Football of the season at 8pm on August 24, live on Sky Sports.

Also See:

Chelsea's pre-season results

July 28: Chelsea 6-4 Western Sydney Wanderers- SydneyAugust 1: Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham - SydneyAugust 5: Chelsea 0-1 Juventus- Hong KongAugust 8: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan - JakartaAugust 9: Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-3 Chelsea - JohorAugust 15: Chelsea vs Real Sociedad - Stamford Bridge

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