TRENDING

Presidency, Atiku in fresh war of words over killings • 2027: Rainbow Coalition panel begins talks with Fubara, allies • PFIPC scandal: Adeyemi demands media, lawyers’ presence before Reps probe • José Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 • APM will shock APC in 2027 – Senatorial candidate • Four Oyo APC aspirants back Alli after reconciliation • Atiku accuses Obasanjo of 20-year campaign of lies, deceit • Tinubu to open JIBWIS, Muslim League security conference • 2027: APC beats INEC deadline, uploads candidates • CIBN recommits to partnerships for economic growth • 2027: SERAP demands Tinubu, Atiku, Obi declare assets • Taking advantage of regional development paradigm • Leadership, legacy define fifth anniversary of Okunbo’s death • Police kill alleged bandit kingpin ‘Acid’ in Imo, recover AK-47, ammunitions • NAF airstrikes kill 9 ISWAP fighters, eliminate key commander in Borno • Wildfire rages in southern France, forcing evacuations • Premier League 2026-27 preview No 1: Arsenal • WAFCON 2026: I’m Heartbroken —Oparanozie Laments Super Falcons Shock Defeat To Cameroon • Bandits demand N500,000 from Benue farmer before harvesting crops • NCS uncovers 399 rifles in Tin Can port shipment • Presidency, Atiku in fresh war of words over killings • 2027: Rainbow Coalition panel begins talks with Fubara, allies • PFIPC scandal: Adeyemi demands media, lawyers’ presence before Reps probe • José Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 • APM will shock APC in 2027 – Senatorial candidate • Four Oyo APC aspirants back Alli after reconciliation • Atiku accuses Obasanjo of 20-year campaign of lies, deceit • Tinubu to open JIBWIS, Muslim League security conference • 2027: APC beats INEC deadline, uploads candidates • CIBN recommits to partnerships for economic growth • 2027: SERAP demands Tinubu, Atiku, Obi declare assets • Taking advantage of regional development paradigm • Leadership, legacy define fifth anniversary of Okunbo’s death • Police kill alleged bandit kingpin ‘Acid’ in Imo, recover AK-47, ammunitions • NAF airstrikes kill 9 ISWAP fighters, eliminate key commander in Borno • Wildfire rages in southern France, forcing evacuations • Premier League 2026-27 preview No 1: Arsenal • WAFCON 2026: I’m Heartbroken —Oparanozie Laments Super Falcons Shock Defeat To Cameroon • Bandits demand N500,000 from Benue farmer before harvesting crops • NCS uncovers 399 rifles in Tin Can port shipment

August 9, 2026|23:42

Back to Home

Chelsea

Seesaw draw in Malaysia gives Xabi Alonso food for thought at Chelsea

The Guardian Football about 4 hours 1 mins read

Delap scores twice from spot in 3-3 draw with JDT
Manager made 11 changes against Malaysian champions

Chelsea’s problems mounted as their pre-season tour came to an end in a strangely fiery draw against the Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. A bloated choice of forwards, echoes of their inexperience and indiscipline last season, and fewer than two weeks for the new manager, Xabi Alonso, to reintegrate key players and work with the entirety of his squad before they kick off the Premier League season against Fulham – managed by his old friend Álvaro Arbeloa – on 24 August.

Alonso, tasked with transforming a club that finished 10th in the Premier League last season into Champions League qualifiers in just six weeks, made 11 changes for the friendly against JDT. He rested players after beating Milan with a strong lineup only 24 hours earlier, 600 miles away.

This article was sourced from an external publication.

Share this article