Xabi Alonso began his tenure as Chelsea manager with a dramatic 6-4 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia, highlighted by a nine-minute hat-trick from Joao Pedro and a spectacular opening goal from 17-year-old triallist Dastan Satpaev at Accor Stadium on Tuesday.
Joao Pedro Inspires Ten-Goal Thriller in Sydney
Chelsea claimed a wild 6-4 pre-season victory over Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers in a thrilling contest on Tuesday. The fixture served as the opening match of the Blues’ pre-season tour, giving supporters their first look at the team under Alonso, who took charge on July 1.
Kazakhi 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful near-post finish after running onto a through ball from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen. The Wanderers responded quickly, with Anthony Pantazopoulos heading home from a corner and Aydan Hammond adding a second to leave Chelsea trailing.
Portugal youth international Dario Essugo leveled the score at 2-2 just before halftime by finishing off a flowing move with a one-two off Reggie Walsh. After the break, the Sydney side surged ahead again to make it 3-2 and 4-3, prompting Alonso to make a wave of substitutions in the 62nd minute that completely shifted the momentum.
Joao Pedro’s Nine-Minute Hat-Trick Secures Victory
Introduced in the 63rd minute with Chelsea trailing 3-2, Brazilian forward Joao Pedro made an immediate impact by weaving past his markers to set up Jamie Gittens for the team’s third goal. After the Wanderers restored their lead, Pedro took center stage.
He equalized at 4-4 by calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, scored again four minutes from time to put Chelsea ahead, and completed his hat-trick on the stroke of full-time to seal the 6-4 win. The performance offered an early reminder of his value to the club, having finished last season as Chelsea’s top scorer across all competitions with 23 goals and nine assists in 52 games.
“He’s very hungry – Joao is really, really determined to have a great season.”
Xabi Alonso, Chelsea Manager, via Chelsea’s official website
Alonso praised the forward’s work rate after the final whistle, noting that the player wants to keep building on his output from the previous year. We need help him, as on his own it’s not possible,
Alonso told the club’s official website. He will have the players around him, and they need to have this hunger to score as well.
Despite links to Barcelona, Chelsea are not prepared to listen to any offers for the 24-year-old.
Transfer Plans and Squad Balancing Under Alonso
While the attack clicked late in the match, the defensive performance highlighted the massive rebuilding job ahead for the former Real Madrid coach. Conceding four goals to A-League opposition laid bare the team’s vulnerabilities at the back following a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with a 10th-place finish and no European qualification.
Squad restructuring remains a priority as the club evaluates existing talent. Striker Liam Delap struggled once again in the starting lineup, continuing a difficult run of form since his £30m move from Ipswich last summer. Short on confidence, Delap could be sold as Chelsea advances talks to sign 35-year-old Danny Welbeck from Brighton as an experienced replacement. Welbeck has agreed personal terms, with optimism building that a deal will be finalized.
Chelsea is also engaged in discussions to acquire 36-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson from Brentford to inject leadership into the dressing room.
“We need balance, to have a complete squad and make a good team. For that, we have an idea and plan.”
Xabi Alonso, Chelsea Manager, via BBC
A Glance at the Youth and Fringe Players
The tour opener also provided a stage for several young prospects and returning players to make their cases. Dastan Satpaev started the match as a triallist because his formal transfer from FC Kairat cannot be completed until August 12. Marco Palestra made his unofficial debut following his arrival from Serie A side Atalanta, while Estevao Willian marked his return from injury off the bench.
Not every fringe player enjoyed a smooth afternoon. Twenty-year-old Omari Kellyman entered the game as a second-half substitute at halftime but lasted only 19 minutes before being replaced by Estevao. Kellyman spent last season on loan at Cardiff City in the Championship after an ankle and hamstring-wrecked debut campaign following his transfer from Aston Villa.
Next Up on the Pre-Season Schedule
The squad will immediately shift focus toward a stiffer examination on Saturday, when Chelsea meets London rival Tottenham Hotspur at the same venue in Sydney. Further pre-season fixtures await the team in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia as Alonso continues to assemble his side before the competitive campaign begins.
