{"id":22322,"date":"2026-07-28T10:50:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T10:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22322"},"modified":"2026-07-28T10:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T10:50:51","slug":"alonso-starts-satpaev-and-six-academy-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22322","title":{"rendered":"Alonso starts Satpaev and six academy stars"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea are set to begin their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia with a clash against A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers this morning, and Xabi Alonso has named his side.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a long time coming, but finally, the Alonso era is here. After two behind-closed-doors wins over Crawley and Bromley, Chelsea fans finally get to see what the Alonso era will look like at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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First Danny Welbeck and now Jordan Henderson! What is going on at Chelsea?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Alonso has taken a squad of 28 players to Australia, including seven academy stars like Landon Emenalo, Calvin Diakite and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen. Alonso has heaped praise on midfielder Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.<\/p>\n

New faces like Dastan Satpaev and Marco Palestra are also out in Australia, while returning loanees like Aaron Anselmino, Ted Curd and Omari Kellyman are available. Now, Alonso has picked his first team.<\/p>\n

Landon Emenalo and Dastan Satpaev start in Alonso\u2019s first XI<\/h2>\n

As expected, it is a mix of youth and experience. Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Josh Acheampong are about as senior as it gets, with the rest of the starting line-up including youngsters.<\/p>\n

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New signing Palestra and Cole Palmer start on the bench, with Landon Emenalo, Reggie Watson and Reggie Walsh starting. In attack, Dastan Satpaev gets a start, as does attacker Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.<\/p>\n

Alonso has clearly got a faith in youth with a total of six academy players starting \u2013 Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Tayo Subuloye, Emenalo, the two Reggie\u2019s \u2013 Walsh and Watson \u2013 and the impressive Kavuma-McQueen.<\/p>\n

Finally, Chelsea fans will get to see what the Alonso era looks like. After Sunday\u2019s opening training, which saw Blues supporters watch a hands-on Alonso get involved in training, he takes to the dugout as boss.<\/p>\n

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CONFIRMED: Chelsea XI to face Western Sydney Wanderers.<\/h3>\n

Xabi Alonso has included a whole host of Chelsea academy stars in his first XI.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Which players have a point to prove to Alonso?<\/h2>\n

There are a handful of senior players in this side who will be desperate for game time, to show Alonso that they can be a part of his plans. Jamie Gittens has made a great start to life under the Chelsea boss.<\/p>\n

Two goals in the secret friendlies and fit again, Gittens could well be a part of Alonso\u2019s plans moving into the new season. With Danny Welbeck set to join Chelsea, Liam Delap will be hoping he can score goals.<\/p>\n

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In defence, Chelsea are set to welcome the signing of Maxence Lacroix and perhaps one more. It means four or five defenders will have to depart. Benoit Badiashile, a target for Napoli, did not make the trip.<\/p>\n

Mamadou Sarr, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana will be hoping to show Alonso what they can do ahead of the Premier League opener against Fulham. All three find their futures at Chelsea under threat.<\/p>\n

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