Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers LIVE!
Chelsea begin the Xabi Alonso era this morning as they kick off their pre-season tour campaign against Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium. The Blues’ new boss has technically been in post since early July and oversaw behind-closed-doors friendly wins over both Crawley and Bromley at Cobham last week, but this is his first official match at the helm. Alonso will hope to hit the ground running in Australia, before summer preparations quickly ramp up against familiar rivals Tottenham in the Sydney Super Cup on Saturday.
Chelsea are without a number of key stars who remain on holiday following the World Cup, a group that includes new club-record £117million signing Morgan Rogers, while other new arrivals such as Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda miss out through injury. However, Alonso has still taken a strong squad Down Under featuring the likes of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and recent recruit Marco Palestra.
Several highly-rated youngsters will also get their chance to impress, with Chelsea also scheduled to play Juventus, AC Milan, Johor Darul Ta'zim and Real Sociedad before returning to Premier League action against rivals Fulham on August 24. Follow Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers live below!
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers latest news
- GOAL! Joao Pedro scores again
- GOAL!! Joao Pedro equalises immediately
- GOAL! Lual gives Sydney late lead
- GOAL! Gittens scores immediately after coming on
- GOAL! Scicliuna restores Sydney lead
- GOAL! Essugo equalises for Chelsea
- GOAL! Hammond puts hosts ahead
- GOAL! Blues pegged back
- GOAL! Satpayev opens the scoring
Xabi Alonso: Today was useful
13:13 , Arthur Ferridge
"It was a very useful friendly that we can learn from today.
"(Joao Pedro) is very hungry. He is really, really determined to have a great season. He scored many goals but I think he wants to keep scoring more and more."
Chelsea player ratings: Joao Pedro shines as youngsters impress
13:04 , Arthur Ferridge
Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau has passed judgment over the Chelsea squad’s performances today.
Some 22 players got a run out in Sydney, and some looked a lot better than others.
He was impressed with Joao Pedro - who’d have thought? - but less so with Tosin Adarabioyo.
MATCH REPORT: Western Sydney Wanderers 4-6 Chelsea
13:01 , Arthur Ferridge
Joao Pedro scored a late hat-trick as Xabi Alonso made a winning start to his Chelsea career, edging Western Sydney Wanderers in a dramatic ten-goal friendly encounter.
The lead changed hands five times at the Accor Stadium, with Chelsea taking the lead minutes in before ultimately requiring a late comeback to seal victory.
The match gives Alonso plenty of food for thought as he looks to tighten up his Chelsea side ahead of his first Premier League campaign, and he has five more friendlies in which to do so. He will be thrilled with some free-flowing attacking play, but a seriously porous defence may give cause for sleepless nights.
Click here to read the full match report!
FULL-TIME: Western Sydney Wanderers 4-6 Chelsea
12:36 , Arthur Ferridge
Just the ten goals as Chelsea make a winning start to pre-season.
Western Sydney Wanderers 4-6 Chelsea
12:35 , Arthur Ferridge
90+3mins: Nasty challenge there as Palestra catches a studs up tackle in the hip. He is bravely back to his feet.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 4-6 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '89
12:31 , Arthur Ferridge
Joao Pedro has his hat-trick!
Sam Tabuteau reports
12:30 , Arthur Ferridge
Joao Pedro has been the difference for Chelsea. He gets his second and Chelsea have the lead for the first time since Satpayev opened the scoring after just six minutes. A lot has happened since then, some stuff Alonso will like and other stuff he will hope never to see again.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 4-5 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '85
12:27 , Arthur Ferridge
Joao Pedro gives Chelsea a late lead! The Brazilian latches onto Palmer’s through ball and buries it from the edge of the box.
Western Sydney Wanderers 4-4 Chelsea
12:26 , Arthur Ferridge
84mins: Estevao goes through on goal and again shoots into the side netting.
Western Sydney Wanderers 4-4 Chelsea
12:25 , Arthur Ferridge
83mins: Palmer flashes a long-range effort narrowly wide.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 4-4 Chelsea | Joao Pedro '80
12:22 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea equalise immediately! Palmer’s quick free-kick sets off a pacey attack and Gittens’ cross is headed down for Joao Pedro to bury.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 4-3 Chelsea | Lual '78
12:20 , Arthur Ferridge
One mistake is all it takes and Awan Lual pounces. A loose pass from Estevao sends Sydney through on goal and there isn’t much Sanchez could do to deny Lual.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea
12:19 , Arthur Ferridge
77mins: Estevao dances into the box with a lovely little run but his shot is not quite good enough.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea
12:18 , Arthur Ferridge
76mins: Sydney have dropped into a very defensive setup here and Chelsea are struggling to find a way through as they search for a winner. Palmer’s latest cross is parried out.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea
12:17 , Arthur Ferridge
75mins: A nice linkup between Palmer and Palestra has Chelsea on the offensive, but the former’s chip into the box is batted away.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea
12:14 , Arthur Ferridge
72mins: Not long left now. Will either side find a winner in the late stages here, or will we be forced into a banal friendly penalty shootout? Stay tuned!
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea | Gittens '66
12:08 , Arthur Ferridge
Gittens equalises again! He has made an instant impact with his third goal in as many pre-season appearances.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Chelsea
12:07 , Arthur Ferridge
65mins: Gittens is on, too, and creates a chance with his first attack. He draws a save from the Sydney keeper.
Sam Tabuteau reports
12:06 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea look tired and Western Sydney Wanderers have been sharp in the final third. Emanalo is unlucky to see his clearance ricochet to a home player but it’s too tentative again from Chelsea.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Chelsea
12:06 , Arthur Ferridge
64mins: Fofana and Anselmino are on, too. Colwill has taken the armband.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Chelsea
12:05 , Arthur Ferridge
And here come a lot of substitutions.
Sanchez, Estevao, Palmer, Palestra and Colwill all enter the fray.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 Chelsea | Scicliuna '62
12:04 , Arthur Ferridge
Sydney’s lead restored! Emenalo’s clearance takes a deflection and falls sympathetically for Scicliuna, who lashes a mean finish beyond Sharman-Lowe.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
12:03 , Arthur Ferridge
60mins: Waraga is denied by Sharman-Lowe, who makes another impressive save.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
12:02 , Arthur Ferridge
60mins: Satpayev plays Delap in behind and he does well to hold off the aggressive challenges of his marker, but can’t make much of the chance.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
12:01 , Arthur Ferridge
59mins: Estevao appears to be getting ready to come on now.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:59 , Arthur Ferridge
57mins: Watson drops back to cut out Milanovic’s cross but is fouled as he looks to break out.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:58 , Arthur Ferridge
56mins: Emenalo slips into the area and fires wide.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:57 , Arthur Ferridge
55mins: Seems to be a more aggressive press from Sydney in this half, and Chelsea are struggling to find a way through.
You wonder when some of the bigger names in the squad might come off the bench.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:55 , Arthur Ferridge
53mins: Madhana gets away down the right flank and puts a tidy cross into Sharman-Lowe’s box, but it is cleared away. Sydney come again and Milanovic crosses this time, but Nicoll-Jazulli slides in to deny him.
The resultant corner comes to nothing.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:53 , Arthur Ferridge
50mins: Xabi Alonso is really vocal today. He has been barking orders from the touchline throughout.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:51 , Arthur Ferridge
48mins: Reggie Watson takes the free kick and connects with it nicely, but watches this one curl over. Wasn’t far away, mind.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:50 , Arthur Ferridge
47mins: Walsh is fouled right on the edge of the penalty area and Chelsea have a dangerous free-kick. It is very much within shooting range.
The territory was won by a nice link-up between Nicoll-Jazuli and Satpayev.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:48 , Arthur Ferridge
Nicolo-Jazuli has replaced Essugo for Chelsea. Kellyman is on in place of Kavuma-McQueen.
2ND HALF: Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:47 , Arthur Ferridge
Nearly time to get back underway and changes are in the offing.
There’s a clutch of fresh faces for Western Sydney.
For Chelsea, Omari Kellyman is on. Unclear who he has replaced.
HALF-TIME: Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:32 , Arthur Ferridge
Just the four goals in the first half. A lively start to the Xabi Alonso era.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:30 , Arthur Ferridge
45mins: Western Sydney are forced into a chance as Ferreyra hobbles off injured to be replaced by Barrie.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:28 , Arthur Ferridge
43mins: Reggie Watson finds Tosin with the corner and he is in acres of space, but heads wide from the edge of the six-yard box. Poor from Adarabioyo.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:27 , Arthur Ferridge
42mins: Satpayev wins Chelsea a corner with a dancing run down the left. He’s been very lively indeed in this first half. Great first impression from the young Kazakh.
Sam Tabuteau reports
11:26 , Arthur Ferridge
As much as Chelsea have been disjointed defensively, they have also put together some lovely flowing attacking moves. Dario Essugo tucks home the equaliser, and Chelsea will hope they can push on now.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea
11:25 , Arthur Ferridge
40mins: Delap draws another save from Holmes.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea | Essugo #38
11:24 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea are back level! A lovely one-two between Reggie Walsh and Dario Essugo sends the Portuguese in behind and he finishes with aplomb. Lovely goal from Chelsea - much better.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Chelsea
11:23 , Arthur Ferridge
37mins: Suboloye gets caught in the corner and loses possession. Gillion whips another cross in for Sharman-Lowe to catch.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Chelsea
11:22 , Arthur Ferridge
36mins: Gillion heads wide. Chelsea are all over the place here - defensively bereft.
Sam Tabuteau reports
11:21 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea have been to tentative in their defensive work this half and they have been punished. Acheampong should be stronger and Chelsea are behind.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Chelsea
11:20 , Arthur Ferridge
34mins: A dreadful pass from Tosin gives Hammond another shooting chance, but this one is blocked behind for a corner. This one is not punished as Acheampong clears.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Chelsea | Hammond '32
11:18 , Arthur Ferridge
Uh-oh... Chelsea go behind! Aydan Hammond skips past Acheampong and smashes an emphatic low effort behind.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:16 , Arthur Ferridge
31mins: The Reggies Walsh and Watson link up very nicely indeed to send Chelsea on the offensive. Satoayev has a shooting chance but a nightmare bobble confounds him. He shanks the effort high and wide after it sits up on him awkwardly.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:14 , Arthur Ferridge
28mins: Delap drifts into the box and has a sight of goal. He shoots speculatively from a tight angle but cannot hit the target.
He’ll be desperate to score after seeing Satpayev get his name on the scoresheet.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:12 , Arthur Ferridge
27mins: A driving run from Essugo has Chelsea on the front foot, but his through-ball to Satpayev isn’t quite as nice as he’d have hoped.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:10 , Arthur Ferridge
25mins: Madanha gets in behind but Sharman-Lowe catches his cross with ease.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:09 , Arthur Ferridge
23mins: A nice tackle from Acheampong gives Kavuma-McQueen license to attack. He runs into traffic in the box, though, and is forced to track back.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:08 , Arthur Ferridge
22mins: Borello shoots wide from another opportunistic Sydney attack. Chelsea’s defence is looking markedly porous thus far.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:07 , Arthur Ferridge
21mins: Meanwhile, we’re hearing Filip Jorgensen has flown back to London to complete a transfer to Strasbourg.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:06 , Arthur Ferridge
20mins: Watson attempts a cheeky little reverse pass to play Delap in, but it doesn’t quite come off. Nice idea though.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea
11:02 , Arthur Ferridge
17mins: Walsh has a crack from range and demands a smart save.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Chelsea | Pantzopoulos '14
11:00 , Arthur Ferridge
Sydney have one back! And its a set-piece again as the centre-back Pantzopoulos heads home from a corner. Sharman-Lowe appeared to have clawed it off the line but the goalline technology says goal.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Chelsea
10:59 , Arthur Ferridge
13mins: Gillion finds himself on the ball in a dangerous area and sends a snap-shot across goal. Sharman-Lowe does well to tip it round the post.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Chelsea
10:57 , Arthur Ferridge
12mins: Madahna gets some retribution for Satpayev’s emphatic opener with a crunching tackle. The Kazakh takes a second to get back to his feet but seems to be fine.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Chelsea
10:56 , Arthur Ferridge
11mins: Walsh plays Essugo into space but a devious bobble impedes his driving dribble. He manages to work the ball back to Walsh who in turn finds Kavuma-McQueen, and his curling effort demands a save from Holmes.
Sam Tabuteau reports
10:54 , Arthur Ferridge
What a start for Dastan Satpayev as he smacks Chelsea into the lead after a lovely through ball from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen. A well-worked goal from Alonso’s side.
GOAL! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Chelsea | Satpayev '6
10:52 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea lead through Dastan Satpayev! What a start to his debut. Chelsea go from one end to the other in the blink of an eye and Kavuma-McQueen threads a stunning through-ball to the Kazakh striker who lashes an emphatic strike beyond the goalkeeper Holmes.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 Chelsea
10:51 , Arthur Ferridge
5mins: The first shot of the day falls to Aydan Hammond who shanks his effort well wide. Poor from the No7.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 Chelsea
10:50 , Arthur Ferridge
4mins: Hard to say exactly what the formation is for Chelsea here but we can safely say the midfield combination of Walsh, Watson and Essugo looks pretty tidy.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 Chelsea
10:48 , Arthur Ferridge
2mins: Defensive duties for Emenalo now as he tracks back to cut out a long ball.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 Chelsea
10:47 , Arthur Ferridge
1mins: Landon Emenalo makes a first foray forward for Chelsea and wins a throw-in. Much has been made of his performances in behind-closed-doors friendlies earlier this summer. He’s playing for a first team spot today.
KICK-OFF! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 Chelsea
10:45 , Arthur Ferridge
The Xabi Alonso era is officially UNDERWAY!
The players are out!
10:42 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea and Western Sydney walk out to The Liquidator. Feels just like home.
Nearly time to go...
10:40 , Arthur Ferridge
The Accor Stadium is building up to this match with loud dance music and a light show.
A bit much for a pre-season friendly, you could argue, but hey. Why not, right?
Team news reminder
10:35 , Arthur Ferridge
With ten minutes to kick-off, a reminder of today’s starting lineups.
Western Sydney Wanderers XI: Holmes; Gersbach, Hammond, Scicluna, Di Pizio, Gillion, Pantazopoulos, Borrello, Thurgate, Ferreyra, Madahna
Chelsea XI: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Subuloye, Emenalo, Walsh, Watson, Essugo, Delap, Satpaev, Kavuma-McQueen
Sydney scenes!
10:29 , Arthur Ferridge
Ready and raring to go. ✊ pic.twitter.com/SOrwJKmoiV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 28, 2026
Who will captain Chelsea today?
10:25 , Arthur Ferridge
Tosin Adarabioyo will don the captain’s armband from the off today.
Why is the Accor Stadium pitch so poor?
10:19 , Arthur Ferridge
There is one very good reason why the turf looks so, for want of a better word, ropey for this match.
It hosted three rugby league matches over the weekend.
Xabi Alonso will hope to avoid any serious injuries as a result today.
Teddy's test
10:17 , Arthur Ferridge
It remains to be seen who Chelsea’s three goalkeepers will be this season.
Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders are set to be the top two, but who will be number three?
After Max Merrick left on loan, it will likely come down to one of Gabriel Slonina or Teddy Sharman-Lowe, who starts today.
Three names left out of the Chelsea squad today
10:16 , Arthur Ferridge
Filip Jorgensen, Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr have all been left out of the matchday squad today.
It is too early in the summer for Hato and Sarr to feature so they are left out as a precaution.
It seems Jorgensen is left out due to the fact he is transfer listed and expected to leave the club this summer.
Chelsea transfer latest
10:11 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea have been as busy as ever in the transfer market this week. Here’s a rundown of the latest rumours.
Standard Sport understands the club are in talks to buy both Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck in a bid to add some sorely-needed experience to their ranks.
The signing of Welbeck, which is expected to go through, means Chelsea will likely offload at least two of Emanuel Emegha, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu, either on loan or permanently.
They are also said to be monitoring the Bosnia winger Kerim Alajbegovic, and hope to offload Benoit Badiahshile to Napoli on loan.
Click here to read Standard Sport’s transfer news live blog!
Alonso reveals what to expect from his Chelsea side
10:04 , Arthur Ferridge
“We will be flexible in our tactics, in our approach, in our game plans.
“We have our principles; what we want can be the same, but we have tried, and we will try, different ideas. It’s about updating, developing something they have done with new concepts, which each manager has.
“We need to go step by step. For that, we need to create good energies, good chemistry in the team. The team that will start in August won't be the same team that finishes in May, and I’m sure that team in May will be better than the first day.”
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS CONFIRMED XI
09:47 , Arthur Ferridge
And here’s how today’s hosts line up.
Western Sydney Wanderers XI: Holmes; Gersbach, Hammond, Scicluna, Di Pizio, Gillion, Pantazopoulos, Borrello, Thurgate, Ferreyra, Madahna
Subs: Ugarkovic, Milanovic, Morrison, Carluccio, Lual, Thomas, Barrie, Katrib, Rose, Cetinic, Hassarati, Waraga, Fransen, Savic, Abdul-Rahman, Vidackovic
Sam Tabuteau reports
09:46 , Arthur Ferridge
For all the talk of Chelsea looking to add experience to their side, Xabi Alonso has gone for a very young starting lineup here. Kazakh wonderkid Dastan Satpayev gets his first Chelsea start, while the impressive Landon Emenalo gets another chance to showcase his talent. There is talk he could stay with the first team this season.
Chelsesa substitutes
09:42 , Arthur Ferridge
We have confirmation of the names on the Chelsea bench.
Substitutes vs WSW: Sanchez, Palestra, Colwill, Palmer, Gittens, Joao Pedro, Fofana, Anselmino, Nicoll-Jazuli, Kellyman, Curd, Estevao, Diakite, Lavia
What to make of the Chelsea team
09:36 , Arthur Ferridge
That Chelsea XI, the first of the Xabi Alonso era, is certainly youthful.
Liam Delap starts up top in what appears to be a 4-2-3-1. He has a lot to prove this summer.
The Kazakh wonderkid Dastan Satpayev makes his first start in Chelsea colours after he got special dispensation from his former club, Almaty Kairat, to join up early. He does not officially become a Chelsea player until August 12.
He starts on one wing with academy starlet Ryan Kavuma-McQueen opposite.
In defence, Chelsea scholar of the year Olutayo Subuloye starts next to Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.
Landon Emenalo has impressed in both behind-closed-doors friendlies earlier this summer and is restored here.
Enzo Maresca was a huge fan of Reggie Walsh, and he starts in midfield. So too does Reggie Watson.
In goals, the former Bolton loanee Teddy Sharman-Lowe gets the nod over Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez.
CHELSEA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
09:28 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea XI: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Subuloye, Emenalo, Walsh, Watson, Essugo, Delap, Satpaev, Kavuma-McQueen
Managerial crisis
09:27 , Arthur Ferridge
For Chelsea, today marks the beginning of Xabi Alonso’s reign.
For Western Sydney, there is nobody in the dugout.
Alen Stajcic was relieved of his duties in January with the team sitting dead last in the A-League, but is yet to be replaced.
Fact file: Western Sydney Wanderers
09:19 , Arthur Ferridge
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick catch-up on Chelsea’s opposition this afternoon.
The club was only founded in 2012 and won the Australian second tier in their first season.
They are also three-time runners-up in the top flight, but finished bottom of the A League last season.
Their current playing squad is entirely Australian or Kiwi, save for the inclusion of Argentine defender German Ferreyra and Japan’s Hiroshi Ibusuki.
Among their notable former players is Dario Vidosic, who now works as manager of Brighton and Hove Albion’s women’s team.
WSW team news
09:50 , Arthur Ferridge
Anyone who was excited to reminisce on the halcyon days of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign will be disappointed to see Ryan Fraser left off the team sheet today.
That is due to the fact he quietly departed Western Sydney earlier this summer.
What kit will Chelsea wear today?
09:11 , Arthur Ferridge
Chelsea will debut their new home kit this afternoon, which, naturally, is blue.
Nike have spiced things up this year with a smart yellow trim, though.
Western Sydney will be in their traditional home kit of black-and-red hoops.
Pitch concerns
09:03 , Arthur Ferridge
It wouldn’t be pre-season without a ropey playing surface.
Take a look at the grass - or lack thereof - at the Accor Stadium...
The pitch doesn’t look great at the Accor Stadium ahead of Chelsea’s first pre-season match. pic.twitter.com/5ifuCgqZw6
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) July 28, 2026
Who are Western Sydney Wanderers?
08:54 , George Flood
Founded in 2012, Western Sydney Wanderers compete in Australia’s A-League, finishing last out of 12 teams in the 2025/26 season with only five wins from 26 matches.
The new campaign does not start until October.
Their squad is mostly made up of Australian players, plus veteran Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki.
Former Newcastle, Bournemouth, Southampton and Scotland winger Ryan Fraser was also recently on their books.
Pitch concerns at Accor Stadium
08:43 , George Flood
BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella is among the reporters on the ground in Sydney tweeting pictures of the Accor Stadium pitch, which does not look in good condition at all.
That will surely be a big concern for Xabi Alonso ahead of what is Chelsea’s first official friendly of the summer.
The pitch doesn’t look great at the Accor Stadium ahead of Chelsea’s first pre-season match. pic.twitter.com/5ifuCgqZw6
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) July 28, 2026
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers prediction
08:33 , George Flood
As ever in pre-season, the result is not what Xabi Alonso will be preoccupied with as he heads to the Accor Stadium.
He will, however, be confident of getting a result against what on paper is a vastly inferior side.
The best case for Alonso and his team will be to get minutes in the legs of as many players as possible, avoid injury and score a few goals in doing so.
We expect them to do exactly that.
Chelsea to win, 4-1.
Chelsea team news
08:29 , George Flood
Chelsea are missing a whole host of first-team stars who remain on post-World Cup breaks.
That number includes new club-record £117m signing Morgan Rogers, plus the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Pedro Neto.
However, Xabi Alonso still has a strong squad at his disposal, headlined by Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
New signings Marco Palestra and Dastan Satpayev have made the trip Down Under, but fellow recent recruits Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda are both injured.
There should be plenty of chances handed on tour to Chelsea’s exciting youngsters, including Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Reggie Walsh, Reggie Watson, Landon Emenalo and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.
How to watch Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers
08:24 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, today’s game will be televised live on CFC+, Chelsea’s in-house video streaming service.
All of the club’s pre-season fixtures will be broadcast via CFC+, which requires a membership to watch.
An annual subscription costs £15, while pay-per-view passes worth £9.99 are also available for each match.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers live
08:19 , George Flood
Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Chelsea’s pre-season tour opener.
The Blues are in Australia today as they officially begin the Xabi Alonso era against A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers at Accor Stadium.
Kick-off comes at 10:45am BST, so stay with us for match build-up, breaking team news and game updates.
