Xabi Alonso's first match as Chelsea manager was a tale of four strikers – and it was Joao Pedro who stole the show with a nine-minute hat-trick to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium. The Brazilian, left out of Brazil's World Cup squad, came off the bench to first create an equaliser for Jamie Gittens before plundering a rapid treble in the dying embers, described by Alonso as "very, very hungry" and "determined to have a great season".
For an hour, though, Chelsea looked disjointed, still adjusting to jet lag. Starting forward Liam Delap struggled again, as he has in almost every appearance since his £30m move from Ipswich last summer. The 21-year-old was largely anonymous and goalless, his only notable moment a driving run and wild strike. After Delap left the field with Chelsea trailing, his replacement Joao Pedro emphatically underlined why he is the club's main striker. Delap appears short of confidence and could now be sold, with Chelsea advancing talks to sign Brighton's Danny Welbeck, 35, who has agreed personal terms. “We need balance, to have a complete squad and make a good team,” Alonso said. “For that, we have an idea and plan.”
“Joao Pedro's hat-trick rescued Chelsea in a 6-4 win as Delap flops and Welbeck talks advance.”
Chelsea are also in talks to sign midfield veteran Jordan Henderson, 36, from Brentford. The moves signal a shift after years of scattergun recruitment. “We need to have a good mix,” Alonso said. “If we get that balance right and those special players in the right positions, with good control, then we will be more competitive with and without the ball.”
Among the youngsters, it was 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev who scored the first goal of Alonso's reign – a spectacular finish after just six minutes. The Kazakhstan forward, attempting to become the first Kazakh to appear in a Premier League match, cannot formally complete his move from FC Kairat until 12 August. Stylistically compared to Sergio Aguero, he had fans from his homeland at the match. Another teenager, Reggie Walsh, impressed from midfield. But the narrative remains dominated by strikers: Joao Pedro untouchable, Delap likely out, Satpaev promising, and Welbeck poised to join as experienced cover.
Chelsea also have injured Emmanuel Emegha and Nicolas Jackson on the books. Meanwhile, Alonso has a plan to fit club-record £117m signing Morgan Rogers alongside Cole Palmer, after Rogers – on holiday following England's World Cup campaign – signed a six-year contract. “I have a plan. I have an idea. I can see them linking really well,” Alonso said. The Blues are also expected to announce the £52m signing of France defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, and have brought in winger Geovany Quenda, striker Emegha from Strasbourg, and full-back Marco Palestra. With nearly 40 players in the squad, sales are inevitable. “We need to know that there will probably still be some movement,” Alonso said.
The win was only an early glimpse of Alonso's Chelsea, but the striker dilemma is already pressing.