{"id":15057,"date":"2026-07-07T14:19:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15057"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:19:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:19:41","slug":"dates-and-times-confirmed-for-xabi-alonsos-first-five-chelsea-premier-league-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=15057","title":{"rendered":"Dates and times confirmed for Xabi Alonso&#8217;s first five Chelsea Premier League matches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_55f7ab\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The Premier League have confirmed their broadcast selections for August and September with Xabi Alonso&#8217;s schedule for his the first couple of months of the season now official<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">15:08, 07 Jul 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 15:16, 07 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34251161\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34251161.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2248727887.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34251161.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2248727887.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34251161.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2248727887.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article34251161.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2248727887.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso<cite aria-label=\"Image: Urbanandsport\/NurPhoto\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Urbanandsport\/NurPhoto)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Premier League have confirmed the broadcast selections for August and September, with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso discovering the dates and times of his first five matches as Blues manager, with three fixtures being moved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As we knew already, Alonso will officially begin his Chelsea tenure with the short trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham. That match will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports on Monday, August 24, 8pm (UK time) kick-off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brighton will then visit Stamford Bridge for Alonso&#8217;s home debut as Blues boss. That match will be played on Sunday, August 30, kicking off at 2pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A trip to Premier League champions Arsenal follows for Alonso and Chelsea. The crunch match at the Emirates Stadium will be on Sunday, September 6, 4:30pm kick-off, as Alonso looks to make a statement early on in his tenure against his close friend Mikel Arteta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea then welcome newly-promoted Hull City to Stamford Bridge on September 12 in their first Saturday 3pm match of the season. The Blues&#8217; September concludes with a trip to Brentford on Friday, September 18, 8pm kick-off, before the first international break of the season. However, that match could still move to Saturday, September 19, 8pm kick-off, should either club reach Carabao Cup third round and be tied to play against a Champions League side.<\/p>\n<div class=\"HtmlEmbed_container__x6svQ\">\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Before Alonso can think too much about the fixture schedule, he needs to get to know his new Chelsea squad first. The majority of the Blues contingent will be at Cobham on Thursday to train with their new manager for the first time, while those at the World Cup &#8211; or have been knocked out &#8211; will not be able to meet the Spaniard for a little while yet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea will fly out to Sydney later this month to begin the club&#8217;s pre-season tour. After the trip to Australia is a flight to Hong Kong, then Indonesia and Malaysia.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"29214132\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_a26367\">Sign up for Chelsea news direct to your email inbox<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea face a crucial summer transfer window with Xabi Alonso now at the helm and you can stay up to date with every breaking news story, opinion and more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And by signing up to our newsletter here, you&#8217;ll make sure you receive the best Blues content including news, rumours, articles and fan opinions &#8211; direct into your inbox and <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">all for free!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also want to hear from<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <em>you.<\/em><\/strong>  Create an account here in just a few moments, so you can have your say on all things Chelsea, join the debate and take part in exclusive Q&#038;As as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Premier League have confirmed their broadcast selections for August and September with Xabi Alonso&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}