Morgan Rogers scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues won 3-1 against Real Sociedad in a preseason friendly, marking Xabi Alonso's first game in charge at Stamford Bridge. The club-record signing opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with João Pedro adding two more to take his preseason tally to seven goals. Chelsea finished 10th in the 2025 Premier League with 52 points, 33 behind leaders Arsenal, but this win offers a positive start under Alonso.
What happened in the match?
Rogers made an immediate impact, pouncing on a rebound to score his first Chelsea goal. Real Sociedad equalized with a stunning volley from Jon Aramburu before halftime. After the break, Pedro headed in Reece James' cross and later sealed the win with a low finish from Malo Gusto's pass.
Why the mixed reaction for Enzo Fernández?
Fernández received both boos and cheers when he came on in the 60th minute, taking the captain's armband amid transfer speculation. His comments in March about potentially leaving Chelsea, followed by a two-game suspension, led to criticism. With no club matching Chelsea's £120 million valuation, he is expected to stay.
What’s next for Chelsea?
With preseason over, Chelsea will focus on the upcoming Premier League season. The team scored 58 goals and conceded 52 last season, and manager Xabi Alonso will aim to improve defensively while integrating new signings like Rogers. The absence of sidelined midfielder Jordan Henderson will also need to be addressed.
