Chelsea 3-1 Sociedad: Report, result goals from friendly

Joao Pedro took his pre-season tally to seven goals by scoring twice during the second half as new head coach Xabi Alonso won his first match at Stamford Bridge by overseeing victory against Real Sociedad.

Morgan Rogers, who became the most expensive British player ever when the 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for £117 million in July, tapped in the 11th-minute opener after goalkeeper Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s header from Pedro Neto’s delivery.

Sociedad were the more threatening side before half-time and equalised through Jon Aramburu’s long-range strike in the 45th minute, but Joao Pedro headed in Reece James’ cross two minutes after the restart and broke clear to fire in from Malo Gusto’s pass with 13 minutes remaining.

“It’s about sticking the ball in the back of the net,” former Chelsea defender Scott Minto told CFC Plus.

“We’ve done it more often than Real Sociedad but the Premier League is going to be tougher, for sure. We were much more in control in the second half.”

Chelsea vs Sociedad: Premier League side ‘developing’

Minto pointed out that Chelsea’s globe-trotting pre-season schedule may have had an effect on their performance.

“Not everyone’s 100% fit,” Minto observed. “I read that we’ve done the most travelling of any Premier League side in pre-season.

“I love the fact there are nine days before our first game of the season – not just in terms of training and double sessions, but also rest and recuperation, which is important.

“We’re still a team in development.”

The Blues play their first competitive match under new head coach Alonso by travelling to Fulham in the Premier League on August 24 (20:00 BST).

Alonso is hoping to revive Chelsea’s fortunes following their 10th-placed finish in 2025/26, losing as many games as they won in the top flight.

Sociedad start their La Liga campaign at Real Betis on August 21, having finished 10th last season and won the Copa del Rey.

Chelsea team vs Real Sociedad

For the first match at Stamford Bridge of his tenure, Alonso made 11 changes from the 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Gelang Patah the previous Sunday.

New signings Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra were among the starters, while Aaron Anselmino, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha had been injury doubts and were not involved.

Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez; Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Marco Palestra, Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro

Chelsea substitutes: Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Josh Acheampong, Pep Chavarria, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Valentino Barco, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Geovany Quenda, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens

Sociedad full line up vs Chelsea

Sociedad made three alterations from their 2-1 defeat at Koln last Saturday, bringing in Take Kubo, Luka Sucic and Luken Beitia for Igor Zubeldia, Benat Turrientes and Alex Marchal.

Alvaro Odriozola had a long-term knee injury and 2025/26 top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal returned on the bench following his glorious World Cup campaign with Spain.

Orri Oskarsson has three goals in five pre-season appearances, while Carlos Soler has scored twice.

Real Sociedad starting XI: Alex Remiro, Jon Aramburu, Ander Barrenetxea, Orri Steinn Oskarsson, Yangel Herrera, Take Kubo, Sergio Gomez, Carlos Soler, Luka Sucic, Jon Martin, Luken Beitia

Sociedad substitutes: Unai Marrero, Theo Folgado, Aihen Munoz, Igor Zubeldia, Benat Turrientes, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pablo Marin, Arsen Zakharyan, Inaki Ruperez, Mikel Goti, Alex Marchal, Alex Lebarbier, Job Ochieng