The Alonso Doctrine: Deciphering Chelsea’s Tactical Reset and Governance Shift

The big breaking news is that Chelsea have appointed Shavia Lonzo as manager of the men's team. Well, I think it's significant that he's going to be in the manager and not the head coach, because that, to me, means that he will have more authority, more influence, more of a say in all aspects of the club. This is his first big job in the Premier League, and I've got to make sure that after what happened at Real Madrid that I don't get two good jobs on the track. So the first thing that I think he'll do, he want a goalkeeper, he want a centre-bat, and he'll probably want a striker of experience. Chelsea could become a decent aside very quickly, but they just like experience and physicality down the spine. It's been a big summer of change at Chelsea, another one. I guess you could say, because Shavia Lonzo is now in, and we're going to take a closer look at how his blues are shaping up for the new season on this podcast. This special SkySports podcast, a big summer for Chelsea, and to help me do that, I'm joined by two people who are covering the club closely for us at SkySports, James Avundra, from SkySports News, and our digital journalist David Richardson. How are you doing, guys? Good to see you. Really good. Can't wait to get going now. Not long to go now, and there's been plenty going on at Chelsea, plenty to get the stuck into. Yeah, lots of talking points for us today. And David, you got to see them on Saturday. Thanks for our social dad. They're finally friendly before the big Premier League kickoff. How were they looking under Shavia Lonzo? What clues could we see about his new ideas and structures there? Well, the big question around Javier Lonzo at Chelsea is whether he would replicate this three, four, three formation that he had such great success with, that by Leverkusen, obviously winning the Bundesliga title, and Chelsea have played six preseason games. Their first three played a back four, which was similar to what he did at Real Madrid, and as we know, it didn't go too well there. But since then, in the final three matches, he's played a back three. And that has been when more of his senior players have been available to him, the lights of Moises Caesano, he's brought in Morgan Rogers, Maxson's LaCruise, come in as well, and they obviously featured at the World Cup, so they didn't join up with the Chelsea squad until later in preseason. So that's interesting seeing that he's now started to test out that system, particularly a week out from their first game, usually managers in their final preseason game. You see pretty much the team that's going to be starting that first game. So against Sossiadad, it was good and bad. It's probably typical preseason, and Chelsea were bad in the first half. It wasn't encouraging. They sat too deep in the back three. It became almost a back five with Marco Palestra and Pedro Neta as their wing backs. They couldn't get out. They couldn't press. They became sloppy on the ball. And that was despite Morgan Rogers scoring after 10 minutes. You thought, at that moment, it was going to be a bit of a procession, but it wasn't. And Sossiadad deserved their equaliser when it came before half time. But interestingly, Javier Lanzo kept the same team at half time. How many times have we seen it in preseason? Gets half time, loads of changes. He kept the back three, he kept the same 11, and almost said, it proved to me you can do it in this formation. And they did, and they were much improved. They played higher up the pitch, dominated possession. And because they were higher up the pitch, they were able to press. So there was a mixed performance on the day. But the biggest factor is that they've been playing that back three. That's the most significant thing from this preseason on Javier Lanzo. And that's obviously a big shift to what we've seen previously in the last couple of seasons on the Chelsea. We can get into lots of aspects of that team, lots of talking points, mention Laquah, who obviously he's so much experience playing that middle of the back three at Palace, and having good success there. And it looks like he's going to take that role over into Chelsea now. And of course, Morgan Rogers, starting in attack with Col Parmer and Jal Pedro as well. He got a tap in Denise. So he's up and running in terms of finding the net for Chelsea. And we just say on Alonzo James, because he's the ninth man to take charge of Chelsea, since the clear late take over in 2022. And just what David's saying there about maybe a little bit of a mixed performance. This is a manager and he's a manager, not a head coach. He's going to get a little bit more time and space perhaps to implement his ideas. And maybe some of his previous assessors. Is that fair? I think everybody hopes that's going to be the case. They're giving him a long-term contract. He's got the title of manager rather than head coach. And his role is to deliver sustained success, but also create a culture whereby Chelsea aren't winning a title one season and then second the manager the next season. Because I think even if you go back to Joseph Reno's period of success at the start of Chelsea, there have been a huge amount of success stories with Chelsea. They've won a huge amount of titles, but it feels like every period of success has been so short. There's been one or two seasons and then there'd be a managerial sack and then they'd have a big fall off. So I think the plan now is after four years of of learnings that Blueco have taken since being at the club. And there has been some successes. There were really promising signs under Ends and Reska two seasons ago when they won the club. Well, cut me thought, well, maybe they can build on this. Maybe they can potentially be in the title conversation last season. But we know how things fell away. They felt like they've got a man in the building who's been one of the best players in World Football, who's managed one of the biggest clubs in the form of Real Madrid. And he didn't disgrace himself at Real Madrid. He still had a very high win percentage. I think he only lost seven matches in charge at Real Madrid. But it just shows you how quickly things can change for him there. But I think the learnings he's taken from there. I mean, he's ready to take on this job at Chelsea. And it has been a really encouraging summer I think in terms of recruitment. I know there's a huge amount of travel they did on that preseason tour. But it feels like he's done a lot of good work behind the scenes to build a culture whereby they can deliver this sustained success. And this season it feels like things maybe are opening up for Chelsea when you consider all the upheaval other clubs as well. Is he, we talked a lot last season, James, about the maybe inexperience in this Chelsea squad, the sort of the rashness that we quite often saw from them with yellows and red cards, coming quite regularly for their players. And maybe even in matches where they were in good positions, squandering those positions. Alonzo obviously had that incredible invincible season or by a leather coups. And then you mentioned his Real Madrid tenure there. But does he sort of come with the gravitas and maybe the managerial quality to sort of develop this squad and add that maybe a bit more nows about them going into this next season? I think that's what Chelsea were hopeful because over the course of the last two or three seasons, they've been pretty much bottom of the fair play table. There's been so many silly yellow cards. I mean, go back to the back end of last season for Fauna, who started the most games for Chelsea in preseason, played the most number of minutes. He's actually suspended for the first game of the season against Fulham because of disciplinary issues at the back end of last season. And that really did hamper Chelsea and a number of different managers couldn't solve it. Lee and Rossini looked to find answers for it. He didn't last long enough to really get to grips with it. So you think under Chabby Alonzo and this new leadership group he's forming when you consider the age of the players that have been brought in. I think there's clearly been a lot of learnings from the new ownership group over the course of the last four years. And sometimes it was a bit scattergunned the approach when it came to transfer bringing in players. But now I think Chabby Alonzo looked it in and looked at the squad and realised what we definitely need is more experienced players that know how to win things. Players like Henderson and Wilbuck who will get onto who can help get these young players from being not just talented young players, but players that can perform on a consistent basis on the Premier League and accept that all that comes with being a Chelsea player being on the high-paid players, being somebody who people rely on each week. These players will need to deliver success. But now they've got real role models in the form of those more mature players and actually even when the signings have maxed on to Quahu 26, Pep Chivari 28, I think it's clear that there's an admittance that there have been mistakes made. And everybody I think is seeing this as a new chapter where what has gone has gone and now Chelsea are building towards hopefully doing something special as far as they're found to concern and everybody working at the club is concerned. Yes, certainly Chelsea transfers over recent windows of Ray Zai Browse. I think those moves for Henderson 36 and Wilbuck 35 perhaps some of the most surprising moves they've made in that period as well. They weren't involved on Saturday, David, I don't think, but certainly Rogers was the British transfer record holder, the most expensive British player of all time. How did he look? I mentioned he got that early goal, but how did he look and obviously fitting in as well, Col Parmer, because that's a big question sort of the only good friends from their city days in the youth academy and Parmer is the superstar there at Chelsea. So how's he going to feel with Rogers coming in alongside him? Well, Rogers at least is off the mark. He won't score an easier one. It was one week and four scored, I think, from a few yards out. So that will be a little bit of a relief for him. He was in the front, front three of that three, four, three formation with obviously Pedro through the middle and Parmer off the right, Rogers off the left. And they didn't play as wingers. They were sort of tucked in inside forward, which you would say suits their game. I don't think Rogers was a winger at Villeau. He would always drift inside and find those pockets of space. And Parmer likes to do that as well. That is some front three, though, when you look at it. If you compare that to any other team in the league, it's got to be right up there, possibly the best front three in the division, particularly with the way Jal Pedro is playing. But Rogers, it was a pretty understated debut, I think. He showed some flashes. He linked up well with Jal Pedro at times. It was probably him and Pedro, really, that showed more signs of connecting than him and Parmer. But I mean, it's all about getting those front three firing. Jal Pedro is in phenomenal form in this preseason. He scored seven goals in five games after obviously missing out with the World Cup of Brazil. And then it comes onto Parmer and his form. Obviously he had that incredible season, first season at Chelsea, and hasn't quite lived up to those standards, but having not been at a World Cup and he's had this preseason now. He's had a bit of a rest, hopefully, get over those injuries that he's had in recent seasons. He really should be firing. So I think it's the expectation is it's a big season for him as well. But yeah, Rogers will be happy enough with that start he made on Saturday. But it plenty more to come and he will only get sharper as well. Yeah, lots of focus on him. Lots of focus on whether he gets to do the celebration or if it's Colt Palmer who gets to do the Colt celebration. I saw an interview this week, Parmer saying that Rogers actually came up with it first and then he took it on and made it. What it is today for the people who love celebrations and who does what when they score. But Jay, you're just picking up on what David said there. Because it was a disappointing season from Parmer last year. I think Chelsea would admit that from internally as well. But this idea that he obviously didn't go to the World Cup, big disappointment for him. But he had a long summer and a chance to prepare and get ready for a season with no European football. Opportunity to be fresh for Premier League game to Premier League game. And I'm sure Chevy Alonzo will relish the amount of training ground time they have to prepare for those matches specifically. But could it bring the best out in Parmer again? Well, I think it was always going to be an issue. That club World Cup last summer. And we always speculated as to what impact that would eventually have. And perhaps that club World Cup really was the main factor behind the season that Col Parmer would go on to having the injury issues he had as well. Because it was clear throughout the season that he wasn't fully fit. And it really was affecting him. And he was just nowhere near the level that he was the season before. He's been a remarkable player at Chelsea. That's signing. People raise their eyebrows at the fear that Chelsea paid city. But already he's proven well worth that. And he is one of the best players in the world on his day. And I think he'll be desperate to prove people wrong. Proof time was too cool wrong as well. Having not selected him at the World Cup. Whether or not you agree with that decision or not. Is another debate. But for Parmer having to have that full full preseason with your Pedro as well. It means that Chelsea are in a really good spot. Because actually when you look at players at the World Cup. Chelsea will be disappointed in some way because they weren't represented at the World Cup. But actually from a really good perspective, a majority of their players have had a full preseason. They've been part of that preseason tour under a new manager. We're seeing so many clubs now with players coming back after that three week break. With a new manager as well. Not having that preseason. Not having that time to connect with the new manager. And what impact that will have at the start of the season. Well, we're absolutely fascinating. I think what will be really interesting. It's a very exciting front three front four if you include Estevelle as well. Is two seasons ago. If you look to the heat maps of Rodgers Parmer and Jal Pedro. They'd have been occupying virtually the same positions on the pitch. Whilst they'll want to be a level of fluidity with what Chabby Lonsa looks to do. They're also wanting to be clear defined roles as well. So they're not occupying exactly the same area of the pitch. All of them want to drop deep into that pocket. Because you want to keep that width on the left hand side with Rodgers or B. He's not an out and out winger. But also you want to keep on the last line of the defence as well. So you don't want Jal Pedro dropping too deep. So you want that sort of fluidity. But at the same time, they'll need to have those clear defined roles or B. We've really exciting players come off the bench as well. Yeah, we're again excited about Chelsea's attacking options there. But there's no doubt one player who scored a lot of important goals from the last season was Enzo Fernandez. Remember in the FA Cup semi-final? He scored the clinching goal there. He scored away at Man City. A big goal there for Callum McFarlane, one of his games in charge. He got an interesting reception on Saturday, David. Yeah, I've never seen anything quite like that really. He was coming on as a substitute around the hour mark. And as his name was read out over the PA system, it was met by booze, which was quite a surprise. I wondered what sort of reaction he would get. And there was booze for his name. And then all of a sudden, then some supporters started singing his name and getting behind him. And it was this real sort of 50-50 inside Stantford Bridge of some people who were backing in and some who weren't. And then the first time he received the ball, he got more booze and significant. You could tell that was the reason why. And then seconds later, fans were singing his name. So it was a bizarre split. He didn't seem too phased by it. There was a drinks break and he was sort of smiling as he sort of came over. But it was a real shock sort of inside Stantford Bridge. And it wasn't a nice atmosphere really to have that. Where some supporters are behind the player and others aren't. Yeah, straight up. But it's a bit of an odd one because it was just a bit of a context for us, James, around it. Because Enzo Fernandez, obviously, he's been linked with this move to Man City and Chelsea said he's 120 million pound deadline, didn't they, on Friday, which city did nothing before and allowed that deadline to pass. But it's not like Enzo Fernandez has come out publicly and said he wants to leave Chelsea, although he did miss a couple of games last season for Hintini, he might like to live in Madrid one day. So is he a bit of a victim here? I mean, obviously he had a bit of a tangle with the England players at the World Cup. But I suspect the Chelsea fans are more concerned about his role for Chelsea than what he might have done against England in the summer. Yeah, I think you're right. That may have been part of the factor behind the booze. But I don't think Chelsea fans were too bothered. They're all focused about club football now moving forward. And we know some Premier League fans aren't as enamored with the national team as fans outside of the Premier League, especially Chelsea fans. But we're in a really interesting situation with Enzo Fernandez because that felt like the big talking point and the big quandary for Chelsea to solve this summer heading into Chabby Lanzo's first few days in the role. And when I spoke to him in his second week at work, he was glowing in his praise when it came to players like Reese James and Cole Palmer. But it felt like he gave very little away when it came to Enzo Fernandez. He only gave short sentences. The only thing he confirmed was he was looking forward to working with him. He's a great player, but he didn't say much more than that, which made you think that at that point the saga hadn't been resolved. And there was a feeling that a 5 p.m. on Friday that perhaps we could all move on from this and Enzo Fernandez would remain a Chelsea player because in what we received in terms of briefing from Chelsea sources on that Wednesday night when it first became public that there was going to be this deadline was that Chelsea had had enough there'd been months and months of speculation. Real Madrid even released a statement saying they weren't going to sign Enzo Fernandez. And Real Madrid seemed to be the most likely destination. But it felt like they had had enough of it Chelsea. And that was why the deadline was there. Whether they'd have enough of Manchester City, whether it was also Enzo's representatives as well that there maybe had been pushing for a move. I know that Enzo's got a contract for another six years. But I think he wants to be better, renumerated for what he offers to the side because he did sign a long term contract. But as we know with the Chelsea contract, some of them are very long but they're more incentivised in terms of performances. If Chelsea go on and win things, if these players play minutes but I think he wants a higher base salary, that's our understanding. But then when this deadline did eventually pass on Friday in terms of what we were receiving from Chelsea sources were reports and suggestions that we expect Enzo to stay until the end of the season. Now that's no clear guarantee, is it? Because that's what we suspected it would be. When I hit 5pm, no, Chelsea are going to move on from this now because I don't think they want the start of the season, the start of this new year are dominated by conversations and questions for Chabby Lonso's answer every press conference because ultimately we'll be speaking to Chabby Lonso on Friday unless there's any real clarity on this situation. That'll probably dominate the press conference you'd think on Friday and Chelsea desperate for that not to be the case. So they expect them to stay, but that's not a really resounding statement of intent that he's our player, he remains integral to the first team fold. But one thing I will say, I think Enzo Fernandez does stay, he will be a massive part of Chabby Lonso's plans. I think importantly it was a deadline set by Chelsea and Nancy had no obligation to meet that deadline in terms of rules and regulations. It was just a wish from Chelsea to draw a line under it as you say there. I think significantly since then, Nancy, you've agreed a fee with Barcelona for Rotary and I think if anyone who saw their community shield performance at the weekend they'll realise that they've got a bit of an issue in central midfield and Buaddi is obviously a player they're trying to bring in as well. But Enzo Fernandez clearly a player in Maresca likes a lot from his time working with him at Chelsea. So yeah, I don't think I've quite put a call in that bottle yet and drawn a line under it as they may have wished Chelsea. Let's see, let's follow Sky Sports News and the Sky Sports website and after see if there's any movement on that situation. Obviously still quite some way to go to deadline days. It's certainly not done and dusted yet. We'll just take a quick break there and catch our breath. Then when we come back we'll talk more about transfers because there could be quite a few ins and outs at Chelsea before the deadline. Hi there, I'm Pete Graves. Why are you enjoying this show? I just wanted to let you know that we are back with another round of transfer talk. We'll be talking about who's on the move, where they're going, what they could bring to your team. So if you don't already, please like and subscribe. You can watch three Sky TV on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast. See you soon. Welcome back to a big summer for Chelsea this special Sky Sports podcast. James, just before the break there we were talking about Inzo Fernandez and whether he could move to Man City. There are a few other Chelsea players who could potentially be on the move as well before the transfer window closes. Pedro Netto, Tosin, Dela, Nicholas Jackson, Mudric. There's a few players who got question marks here. Yeah, it feels like it's a very bloated squad and there's been a lot of focus on what Chelsea have done in terms of incomeings in this transfer window. But they have to be very active when it comes to outgoing as well. I think when you look at the mark with grea fee, the fee for Android Santos as well. Last season Chelsea brought in around 300 million pounds from player sales and I think they're likely to do something similar at the end of this transfer window as well when he considered there will be a number of players that will depart. There will be some with the loan stock with obligation to buy or options to buy as well. Which is really important for Chelsea because I think this season they don't have European football. But ultimately next season they might want some of these players involved if they do have European football and you think the target will be although nobody's willing to state it publicly will be the squad they're compiling that they should qualify for Champions League football or release European football the next season. In terms of potential outgoings we know that Chabby Lonso only really wants four or five centrebacks. He did say that publicly. So a totian looks to be one of the players that may be able to depart. We know Marseille and Benfica are amongst the clubs interested in signing him. He wasn't included in that preseason which day we was out on Saturday. Chelsea making a number of changes at centreback in this transfer window. We know Max on the squad has come in. We think the venue will be better shield. We'll be heading out to Italy as well. And at that point you still have seven centrebacks. So the likes of Josh Atchimpong. Perhaps he'll be allowed to depart on loan. I think many feel that would be the best thing for his development. I don't think Chelsea fans would want him to lead the club permanently. I know Crystal Palace had an interest in signing him. I think Chelsea are keen to offload Dessassi to Crystal Palace. That seems to be the reports. But I think Palace would love to get Atchimpong. Maybe Dessassi on Deadline Day is something that you could see. Macala Mudrick, a massive boost for him to be back and available. He played some minutes on the preseason tour as well. Chelsea were going to assess him. And I think it seemed natural and logical for him to go out on loan this season. Because clearly for a business perspective you're not going to get anywhere near the sort of money you want for Mudrick in this transfer window. Whereas if he has a good season on loan, the next season you've got a player who's had a season playing good level football. And perhaps he becomes part of the first team fold. Chelsea don't have that many left options at the moment. Jamie Gittens is another left wing option. But if Mudrick goes on to be the player that we think he was going to be a couple years ago, then he could be a great option for Chelsea next season. So a loan would make sense. There was so much interest in club signing him on loan. Plenty of Premier League interest. Pedro Netto. That is a really interesting one because there was talk about Man City potentially coming in for him. He's a player who performed well under Endham Reska. And it's our understanding at SkySortes News that Chelsea value him at close to £100 million. There's been interest from Ow Hallow in signing him in this transfer window. Whether or not they go anywhere closer, that sort of fee. Again, there's been lots of comment about the valuation Chelsea have put on a number of their players. But what I'd say from Chelsea's perspective is they tend to get the money they want for players if they are going to leave the football club. As they did with Alejandro Garnacho earlier on this summer, Linda Lap appears to be a real problem for Chelsea. It's clear he's not going to be part of the first team picture this season. They signed in for what felt like a steal last year, £30 million, which they triggered his release clause. But just two goals last season. They're clearly as a player there. Como interested in making it a low move for him. We have Vinnie O'Connor in last week. And he's very closely associated with Everton and Liverpool. And that feels like a great match for Everton. They were to get Linda Lap in. And that's something you could definitely see towards the end of this transfer window. I think he'd like to remain in the Premier League rather than going to Como and following Trevor Chalibur, who's moved there. And there does continue to be question marks around Nicholas Jackson, who did impress at times during preseason. Again, there's clearly a player there. I mean, from an aesthetic point of view, when you look at the way he can bond with Cole Palmer a couple of seasons ago, it appeared they got the best out of each other. And there clearly is a player there in Nicholas Jackson. But the fact that Chelsea have now signed Danny Wilbeck means that Nicholas Jackson, once again, is number three at Chelsea. And you would think they looked a sanction on an exit. We know Chelsea value him at 65 million pounds, which I actually think is quite a fair valuation when you consider that the lack of real goal scoring number nine. And you would think Nicholas Jackson, he gets so many chances. Yes, he's missed a lot of chances. But if he was the number nine for a club like Spurs, who'd been linked with him, then he could easily score 15 or 20 Premier League goals. And that is why Chelsea had that valuation there. So they'll be plenty of outgoing. They've been busy in terms of incomeings. But there's plenty to keep an eye on. They'll be fascinating to see how many they managed to offload. And how many remain either in the first in scored or in a potential bomb squad? So much to do, isn't it? Before Tuesday, September, the first and a hundred million pound for Petra Netto. So many players with a hundred million pound price tags these days. Must have been his performance against Sussex. Well, the first half, he was Chelsea's best player on the right wingback. But he was a player. Meresco always turned to Meresco. Meresco really liked having him on that right side. And yeah, would pick him invariably. But David, just in terms of players coming back into the club, Mike Penders was on loan at Strasbourg, the goalkeeper. It's just 21 years old. It felt to me last season. There was a sort of feeling that he was doing so well out there. He was going to come back. And this was going to be his season, where he'd get the gloves and opportunities to impress. Because goalkeeper has been a bit of an issue position for Chelsea for the last couple of seasons. But indications from preseason now seem to be that Robert Sanchez will remain the number one. Yeah, and I think that's a reflection on how well Robert Sanchez has started to do. I think he had a much improved season last year. He played 51 times. So he had a full season in goal. And he looked more confident. He looked more comfortable. There were obviously big question marks over his playing out from the back. I remember him being almost heckled by Chelsea supporters. To get the ball forward and just get it away from his own goal. But I think he, as I say, he settled down now. And he looks more comfortable against Susie Dad on Saturday. He made several saves in the first half. And he seems to be growing into that role. It's a big job being a goalkeeper for a top club. And he did struggle. But it looks like he's finding his feet there. And as for Penders, he came on as a substitute in that game on the weekend. But I think I'll have to wait for his opportunity. If Sanchez does slip up a couple of times, then maybe we'll get to go. But for now, it looks like Robert Sanchez is Chelsea's number one. And he's deputy last season. Philip Jorgensen has gone off to a loan on Straitsburg. So he's swapped positions there. But OK, then. So we sort of got this idea of this Chelsea team evolving and sort of starting to take shape under Javier Lonzo through the summer. But still plenty of changes likely to happen, which makes this next question a little bit more. It's a little bit more tricky. But what success James for this Chelsea team next season? Also their FA Cup finalists last year. And Carabell Cups semi-finalists despite all the problems and the managerial changes they went through. And of course, that is the expectation at Chelsea. And it's a being finals. And we want to win trophies. And to deliver big results. So what is the remit for Javier Lonzo, do you think? It would be fascinating to be in those conversations. And whether or not they've laid out clear defined targets for this season. I think they are really seeing this as a long-term project over two, three, four years. And as long as they are seeing that progress on the pitch, whether or not they get chamoisley football this season or not, I don't think that would define whether or not Javier Lonzo gets a second year. I think it will be whether you can actually see with your eyes that this team is getting there. This culture is being built behind the scenes because Javier Lonzo is going to be involved in a number of different areas at the club, not just in that head coach role, which we've seen with the likes of Enza Moreska, Liam Rossini and Graham Potter as well. You think by signing a play like Morgan Rogers for 170 million pounds, you're not spending this sort of money in the transfer window to finishing the top ten or just to get your open league football. And I think this season things have really opened up with a number of managerial changes, Liverpool, a lot of upheaval there. That squad doesn't quite look ready for the start of the Premier League season. Manchester United, their first full season under Michael Carrick. How are they going to cope with playing in the chamois league as well? And we know a few seasons ago when Chelsea didn't have European football under Antonio Conte, they actually won the Premier League as well. So I think getting into the chamois league and having a really strong cup run in the FA Cup or the Carabell Cup, and I think with a squad they have, you think with that first game at home to Loot in next Thursday, with the players they may be able to call upon having played on Monday, they do have a squad that should be able to compete in the Carabell Cup with a second string side up until the last of stages. So I think it won't be a case of they miss out on the chamois league and that's it for Chabellon. So I think that'll be a brilliant target because a club that creates the amount of revenue, the commercial demands they have from all the sponsors, a club like Chelsea needs to be in the chamois league, but that won't clearly define whether or not Chabellon, so get to second season or not if they don't qualify, don't think. There's a little quirk from the fixture computer as well, James, which I thought was interesting, that Chelsea don't play outside of London until October the 17th. Everton, that says the current schedule looks, obviously, if they progress in the Carabell Cup, that could change. But as it stands, you get to December the 12th when they go to Man City and they'll only have played three of their 15 games outside of London. Right, you're saying? No European football, you mentioned there as well. Is there an opportunity here to think for Lonso, sort of make a strong start? Obviously, that travel is such a bonus or that lack of travel is a bonus. And if he could build up that momentum with a strong start and then that gives him the platform then to take it on. You certainly think so. Looking at the fictionalist there, they've got Arsenal on son of the sick, on Super Sunday away from home, which will be a tough game. But you'd argue now would be the time you'd want to travel to the Emirates and take on Arsenal, considering the issues they've got in defensive areas, the fact that players like Declan Ryzen, because soccer have come back late from the World Cup, what shape will they be in after two or three seasons where they've been going at it playing 50-60 matches a season that would be when you'd want to play them. But with the home matches they've got coming up against Brighton, Hall, Bournemouth and Tottenham as well, the next game that you look at, aside from the Arsenal game, that you would potentially be concerned about as a Chelsea fan would be the one at home to Manchester United at the end of October. So it has been favourable to Chabby Lonso in terms of the lack of travel they'll have to do it. And even taking on Brighton on Sunday the 30th, Brighton have actually got a European qualifier on the Thursday heading into that game. So it feels like things have aligned quite nicely for Chabby Lonso when it comes to that perspective. I think the fact that he's had so many of his players, as we've mentioned, for the majority of pre-season, I can't wait to see leave our cobble this season having had a full pre-season because I was at the FA Cup final, and it was just his second or third game back from injury and he was brilliant. He's such a good player. He's such an underrated player. Again, another academy graduate as well, and Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of some of those. We know so many have departed over the course of the last season. But I know that Reese James is going to be an absolutely massive part of Chabby Lonso's plans. I spoke to him and said, will he be in the captain? Because I think that was a real talking point because of the injuries he's had over the course of the last few years. But he said, yes, he's my captain. He's got that blue DNA which we need to transmit to this playing squad. So I think Reese James and leave our cobble could be absolutely crucial to Chelsea having a good season. And they could be absolutely pivotal when it comes to their hopes for this season and beyond. And we do expect over the course of the next few weeks there may be some movement and some confirmation of some more player contracts. And I think leave our cobble, it is right at the top of the list. When it comes to Chelsea looking to to cure his future long term. Yeah, very good. And just finally, David, the fixture computer has also served up full of them on Monday night football as an opening game for Chelsea. And it's Alvaro Arbeloa and the man who replaced him at Real Madrid in charge of full of them now. Funny how these things work out. But that's a tasty opener for both of these teams in West London. Yeah, nice little London Derby, isn't it? And as you say, funny how football can move so quickly after there. It's time to stints at Real Madrid. But yeah, not probably the toughest fixture I think is going into an unknown really against full of them. Chelsea will fancy themselves there. They have to, they have to go to, they have to go to full of them and win that game and start on the front foot. I think the Champions League is what they have to finish in this season. Particularly without being in European competition. And of course, if they can get a domestic trophy to go along with that, then that's a massive boost to Alonzo as well. But we talk about a long-term project. It quickly becomes a short-term one if you're not winning. And Chelsea needs to win quickly. Not the most difficult fixture. Full and fans might remind Chelsea supporters that they won that fixture last season. So one, David, no comment. Good guys, thanks so much for your insight today. As we said at the top, so many talking points for Chelsea and around Chelsea, who might go, who might come in. And how Shabby Alonzo's project at Chelsea is going to take off in West London. So stick with us on Sky Sports and follow developments on Sky Sports News as well. And the Sky Sports App and website for detailed coverage of Chelsea right through to the end of this transfer window and into the new Premier League season. And see if Chelsea can build on that 10th place finish last year. Aiming high, we've heard here about aspirations for Champions League qualification and challenging for trophies. And if you're looking for your next podcast, James is on the Sky Sports FBL podcast. You can get all your tips and hints from him for picking your own team for this season. And we've got the Sky Sports Premier League podcast after every live sky game for your post-match reaction. And if you search for the Gary Neville podcast, you'll get his final word on the weekend's action. Happy listening.