Joao Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick to give Xabi Alonso a 6-4 victory in his first match as Chelsea manager — a chaotic friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers that also introduced a 17-year-old triallist from Kazakhstan.
The Brazilian forward, left out of Brazil's World Cup squad, showcased his finishing, power and pace in an entertaining spectacle at Accor Stadium. Alonso described him as "very, very hungry" and "determined to have a great season".
“Joao Pedro's nine-minute hat-trick and a 17-year-old triallist's goal gave Xabi Alonso a 6-4 win in his first Chelsea match.”
Chelsea's win was shored up by Dastan Satpaev, a 17-year-old Kazakh forward who scored the first goal of Alonso's reign after just six minutes — and did so as a triallist because his move from FC Kairat cannot be formally completed until 12 August. Quick and sharp in the box, Satpaev is stylistically compared to former Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
By contrast, fellow starting forward Liam Delap again struggled, as he has in almost every appearance since his £30m move from Ipswich last summer. Delap could be sold, with Chelsea advancing talks to sign Danny Welbeck, 35, from Brighton. Welbeck has agreed personal terms and there is optimism a deal can be reached, although Brighton are refusing to comment. Chelsea are also in talks to sign midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, from Brentford to add experience after a disappointing 2025-26 season.
Asked about signing the two older players, Alonso replied: "We need balance, to have a complete squad and make a good team. For that, we have an idea and plan."
Beyond the strikers — with injured Emmanuel Emegha and Nicolas Jackson also on the books — the match was a sloppy and imperfect performance by Chelsea, still adjusting to jet lag. But for Alonso, it was only an early glimpse of what to expect.