Chelsea's pre-season under new boss Xabi Alonso was less about results and more about identity, according to BBC News, as the Spaniard used the summer to bed in his methods and build cohesion within a squad still adjusting to life after Enzo Maresca.
The report highlights that bonding was a key theme, with Alonso keen to establish trust and understanding among his players before the Premier League campaign begins in earnest. Tactically, early signs point to a side being reshaped in the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder's image, though BBC News stresses it remains early days in assessing how his principles will translate to competitive fixtures.
With a new manager comes fresh expectations at Stamford Bridge, and this pre-season block was viewed as a foundation-laying exercise rather than a definitive statement of intent. As Alonso settles into the role, attention will now turn to how quickly his ideas can be implemented once matches start to count, with BBC News suggesting the true test of this rebuilding process is still to come.