Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad: Rogers scores on debut in Alonso opener

Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on 15 August 2026: Morgan Rogers scored nine minutes into his debut and João Pedro added a brace in Xabi Alonso's first game in charge.

Rogers marks his debut

Per ESPN, club-record signing Morgan Rogers scored in the ninth minute of his first Chelsea appearance. He joined from Aston Villa this summer for a fee Sky Sports reports at £117m — a Chelsea record and the highest ever paid for an English player — on a seven-year deal signed on 22 July 2026. João Pedro scored twice; Jon Aramburu pulled one back for the visitors.

Alonso's first outing

This was Xabi Alonso's first match as Chelsea manager, after the club finished 10th in 2025-26. It is a friendly, so the result carries no weight in the table — what matters is the shape Alonso picked and how quickly Rogers settled.

Chelsea open the Premier League away to Fulham on Monday 24 August (02:00 Vietnam time on 25 August). Follow the season on WildlyPlay's Premier League page.

Sources: ESPN (15 Aug 2026), Sky Sports.