Xabi Alonso will make his managerial debut for Chelsea in a pre-season clash with Western Sydney Wanderers. The match in Australia marks the start of a six-game tour, with new signings and key players included in the squad.
Xabi Alonso is set to oversee his first match as Chelsea manager this Tuesday, as the club opens its pre-season campaign against Western Sydney Wanderers at Stadium Australia. The fixture, scheduled for 10:45am BST (7:45pm local time), will be broadcast live on CFC+, marking the beginning of a six-game international tour for the Blues.
The encounter in Sydney is drawing attention as supporters anticipate Alonso's initial tactical approach and squad selection. Among those traveling are summer signing Marco Palestra and established names such as Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, and Joao Pedro. This match offers the first glimpse of how Chelsea may evolve under new leadership, with fans eager to see the integration of new arrivals alongside familiar faces.
CFC+ subscribers will have access to all six pre-season matches, including upcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur in Australia, Juventus in Hong Kong, AC Milan in Indonesia, Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia, and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. The annual subscription is priced at £14.99, while individual match passes are available for £9.99 each. Junior Blue and True Blue+ members are also eligible for access, with further details provided on the Official Chelsea Membership page.
Beyond live match coverage, CFC+ offers exclusive content such as documentaries like Samba Blues, original series including Unlocked, interviews with players and managers, selected live training sessions, full-match replays, and an expanding archive of classic Chelsea fixtures. The platform encourages fans to update their Official Chelsea App for optimal viewing, including screencasting capabilities for TV. Recent content has included behind-the-scenes footage of the team's journey to Australia and live coverage of Alonso's open training session.
Pre-season tours have become a key part of preparation for top European clubs, providing opportunities to test new tactics, integrate signings, and engage with international fanbases. For Chelsea, this tour not only marks a new managerial era but also serves as a platform to assess squad depth ahead of the competitive season. Matches in diverse locations such as Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia reflect the club's global reach and commercial strategy. The inclusion of high-profile opponents like Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and AC Milan ensures competitive fixtures that can influence early assessments of Alonso's impact. As the football calendar continues to expand, pre-season tours play a growing role in shaping team dynamics and building momentum before domestic and European competitions resume.
