Dastan Satpaev love and Cole Palmer’s limp
Chelsea staged an open training session at the Allianz Stadium in Australia on Sunday, as Blues fans got to see Xabi Alonso working with his players for the first time as manager.
Under the dark sky of early Australian night, Alonso led his players out ahead of their opening game down under against Western Sydney Wanderers next week. It is a Chelsea side still lacking key players.
Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! 🏆
Many key players have been given extended leave after the World Cup, while Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha remain in London after sustaining injuries in the secret friendly against Bromley.
Now, Chelsea fans got to see a glimpse of Alonso leading his players ahead of Tuesday’s opener. Below, we share five takeaways from the session, including Alonso’s hands-on approach and Cole Palmer.
Five takeaways from Chelsea’s open training session in Australia
Alonso shows leadership with pre-training team talk
The Chelsea squad strolled into the middle of the centre circle to the tune of the famous pre-match tune, The Liquidator, put on by the hosts at the Allianz Stadium. Before training, Alonso spoke to his team.
All the staff and players gathered round in a sort of horseshoe arrangement with Alonso at the bottom of that shape, giving out instructions with all fully engaged. A clear sign of leadership from the new man.
Dastan Satpaev’s brilliant Kazakhstan following
One element which came as a surprise was Dastan Satpaev. Not officially 18 until August, Chelsea had to seek special dispensation from both FIFA and his former side Kairat Almaty to include him in pre-season.
He has been granted permission to play, with clubs unable to sign players from foreign teams until they are 18. A whole section of the fans watching on were there for Satpaev, holding Kazakhstan flags aloft.
Alonso’s hands-on approach with Landon Emenalo
Chelsea fans might have had an idea of Alonso’s coaching in training from clips of his involvement in Bayer Leverkusen’s sessions. The Spaniard is hands-on, keen to get involved and help the youngsters.
One clip showed Alonso throwing the ball to Landon Emenalo, a key figure in Chelsea’s behind-closed-doors friendlies against Bromley and Crawley. America-born Emenalo would volley the ball back.
Cole Palmer was spotted limping, but seemed fine
At one stage, after a team-on-team drill, Palmer was spotted walking away with a limp and checking what looked to be his ankle or foot. Seemingly just an impact injury, or a knock, and one that he ran off.
The England star looks fit this summer after finally enjoying a rest. For the last three summers, Palmer has been busy, but not this time. It has come at the perfect time after a poor 2025-26, ravaged by injuries.
Who will be a bigger success – Enzo Maresca or Xabi Alonso? 🤔
City have confirmed Maresca will replace Guardiola.
No preference given to senior players like Palmer
Nizaar Kinsella and other Chelsea-focused reporters were in attendance at the Allianz Stadium to watch Chelsea’s squad train under Alonso. It is claimed more than 4,000 fans had gone to watch the session.
The BBC Sport reporter said Alonso and his coaching staff were not giving preference to the key players. Palmer and co got the same treatment as 16-year-olds Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nichol-Jazuli.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
