Chelsea debuts imminent this week as Xabi Alonso handed new seven-man boost | OneFootball

Chelsea conclude pre-season preparations this weekend against Xabi Alonso’s former team

Chelsea have played five pre-season friendlies so far, beating Western Sydney Wanderers and AC Milan, and face Real Sociedad on Saturday for Xabi Alonso’s first home game in charge.

Rogers, a £117million arrival from Aston Villa last month, is yet to feature for his new club because of a mandatory three-week post World Cup holiday as he helped England beat France in the bronze final on July 18.

The attacking midfielder has since reported to Cobham to begin what is expected to be a short pre-season and a decision will be made as to whether he is named in the squad to face Sociedad.

“I'm so excited,” Rogers said after becoming the most expensive British player in history. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid.

“I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading.

Maxence Lacroix, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson could also make their Chelsea bows at the weekend as they too got to work at Cobham for the very first time on Tuesday.

The latter took part in the session without his arm in a cast, therefore is now fully fit after suffering a freak injury during England’s post-match celebrations against Mexico. forcing him to miss the remainder of the World Cup.

Captain Reece James and Malo Gusto were also present in training, as was Enzo Fernandez despite speculation over his future with Chelsea.