Fernandez jeered as Chelsea beat Real Sociedad; Alonso previews 3-4-2-1 for Fulham
Enzo Fernandez was booed by sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd as Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in a pre-season match less than 24 hours after the club's self-imposed transfer deadline passed. Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea and Joao Pedro added a second-half double as Xabi Alonso trialled a system he may use this season.
Fernandez's future has been uncertain since March, and he had sought a move to Real Madrid earlier this summer before that club ended their interest. His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea's £120m valuation before Friday's 17:00 BST deadline. Sections of the crowd booed when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off, the stadium announcer opted against reading substitute names shortly before the match, and there were audible boos when Fernandez entered in the 62nd minute; other supporters chanted his name and Reece James handed him the captain's armband when leaving the field as usual.
Rogers opened the scoring after seven minutes, reacting quickest after Alex Remiro had saved Joao Pedro's initial header, and the £117m club-record signing from Aston Villa linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in the front three. Supporters were already chanting Rogers's name within 10 minutes, though he faded as the game progressed, having trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing. Maxence Lacroix and others also made their Chelsea debuts in the match.
Pedro restored Chelsea's lead with a header in the 47th minute and sealed the win with a side-footed finish 30 minutes later after Real Sociedad had levelled just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu's volley. Pedro has scored eight goals in seven pre-season matches and led the line with Rogers and Palmer operating behind him in the game.
Alonso offered a look at a 3-4-2-1 formation he could use at Fulham in nine days as he took charge at Stamford Bridge for the first time, selecting Robert Sanchez in goal with Wesley Fofana, new signing Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill forming a back three (from right to left). Pedro Neto played at right wing-back, Marco Palestra on the left, and Reece James and Moises Caicedo were used in midfield behind the front three; substitute wing-back Pep Chavarria also made his debut.
A number of notable players were omitted despite featuring in earlier pre-season matches: Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Mykhailo Mudryk, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mamadou Sarr were left out and are either available for transfer or attracting loan or permanent interest. Mudryk and Sarr are targeting Premier League loan moves, Jackson is available for £65m, Delap for £50m, and Tosin is drawing interest from Benfica and Marseille. Alonso did not hold a media conference to explain his selections, but multiple sources said it was his decision to leave them out.
There were further absences from the matchday squad: new signings Emmanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, plus recalled loanee Aaron Anselmino, were also not involved and were seated near the squad behind the bench alongside third-choice goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe. Valentin Barco, the new midfield signing from Strasbourg, did not get on the pitch for his first appearance, while Fernandez did feature as substitutes were used.
Chelsea still have 40 senior professionals on their books and the club must reduce the squad to 25, requiring at least 15 departures with 17 days remaining in the transfer window; Alonso's use of the 3-4-2-1 at Stamford Bridge offers a possible setup for the trip to Fulham in nine days.
