Xabi Alonso insists Chelsea are “taking little steps forward” despite another defeat on their pre-season tour of Asia on Wednesday.
The Blues were beaten 1-0 by Juventus in Hong Kong and produced a lifeless display in a game punctuated by niggly fouls and numerous substitutions.
The return of Mykhailo Mudryk following a 20-month absence due to a drugs ban was the highlight for Chelsea, who could not conjure up any response after falling behind to Edon Zhegrova’s brilliant goal midway through the second half.
Mudryk came on for the last eight minutes but had little time to impress with Alonso’s side still searching for any kind of fluidity on a tour that saw them scrape a wild 6-4 win over the A-League’s worst team, the Western Sydney Wanderers, followed by a 2-1 defeat to a Tottenham side that played with 10 men for almost the entirety of the second half.
Alonso said: “We have been together for three weeks so it’s early days to talk about everything but we are taking little steps forward and many more that we will take in the future for sure.”
It’s a process, says Chelsea boss Alonso
The former Real Madrid boss suggested there were elements of the performance he liked, adding: “I think we started pretty well. The first 30-35 minutes we played with good control, we have created a few chances but in the last few minutes, a little bit like last Saturday, we lost a little bit of control.
“In the second-half there were many changes, the game was not that controlled. But for sure it’s a process, it’s minutes for everyone and now we have two more [games] before we go back to London and start the season.”
Mudryk only joined the squad in Hong Kong over the weekend after his suspension was lifted last week and Alonso was delighted to see him take to the field. “I’m really pleased for him,” he said. “It was emotional for everyone from the club to see him back, especially when I told him before the game that my idea was that he could play 10-15 minutes.
“He was thrilled. After such a long period, to be back on the pitch, it was a great feeling for him and a great feeling for everyone.
“It was more than a football decision. It was a human decision and emotional decision to give him this boost, to feel the great support that he got and the great reception when he came on the pitch.”
Palestra and Quenda impress for Chelsea
Chelsea had 21 players on the bench at Kai Tak Stadium while the likes of Enzo Fernandez as well as new signings Valentin Barco, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Morgan Rogers are still on their post World Cup break.
Alonso needs to trim a bloated squad but he did reserve words of praise for two of his new signings, Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda.
He said: “Yeah, happy with Geo. After he missed the last week in Australia, he wasn’t there but he came a couple of days ago and to play 45 minutes after the little injury… he’s been very good. Happy that he could have these minutes.
“And Marco for sure is having a great impact. You see his power. He repeats up and down, big stamina, quality as well in the last third. So we are impressed with him. Happy that we have Marco in the squad and that he gives solutions. He’s a flexible player so it’s going to be very interesting to work with him.”
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill missed the game but Alonso said they were left out due to minor injuries and could play at the weekend against AC Milan in Jakarta.
What’s next for Chelsea?
Chelsea have two games left on their pre-season tour. All times are UK.
8 August: Chelsea v AC Milan (Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, 13:00)
11 August: Johor Darul Ta’zim v Chelsea (Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Johor, 13:00)
