Chelsea v Real Sociedad: Oyarzabal returns for summer finale under Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

Real Sociedad visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for their final pre-season run-out, six days before Betis at La Cartuja, with Xabi Alonso in the home dugout. Mikel Oyarzabal Ugarte headlines the travelling squad.

According to Diario Vasco, La Real arrive shaken by Nayef Aguerd’s late move collapsing for physical reasons and by flat displays against Toulouse and twice against Cologne.

Oyarzabal reported back on Monday as a doubt, then, after four days training, chose to travel as captain. He may not start, yet his presence lifts the mood and keeps alive hopes of featuring from the off against Betis.

Goti and Marín return from injury in a 24-man squad. Youngsters Folgado, Lebarbier, Beitia, Marchal and Ochieng travelled, so missed Sanse’s opener, while Carrera and Aguirre trained yesterday then started for the reserves.

This is the final rehearsal and today’s XI is set to mirror La Cartuja. The big call is in goal, Remiro or Marrero. Several regulars are poised to start.

Key absences persist. Gonçalo Guedes remains out after a personal procedure last week. Gorrotxategi lacks preparation, Pacheco’s problems rumble on, and Odriozola is long term.

Javi López, close to a loan to Feyenoord, and Karrikaburu are out for market reasons. As of 15 August, there have been no signings.

For Chelsea this is a significant send-off to a turbulent summer. The London club are leading summer spenders in Europe, around 400 million including Morgan Rogers.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”