Chelsea Secures 3-1 Victory Over Real Sociedad in Pre-Season Finale

Chelsea wrapped up their pre-season with a 3-1 victory against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, marking manager Xabi Alonso's first home win. The match provided insights into the formation Alonso may employ for the upcoming Premier League opener against Fulham.

In a continuation of his preferred 3-4-3 setup, which had previously proven successful at Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea initially struggled in the first half. Morgan Rogers scored early in his debut, but Real Sociedad equalized through Jon Mikel Aramburu's volley before halftime. After the break, Chelsea improved significantly, with Joao Pedro scoring twice, including a header from Reece James' assist.

Enzo Fernandez's introduction as a substitute was met with mixed reactions from fans, reflecting his recent transfer links. Despite the varied reception, he remains a crucial player for Chelsea. The team is set to begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham on August 24.