A new chapter begins at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso takes over as Chelsea manager, bringing with him a reputation for progressive football and the ambition to guide the Blues back to competing for the biggest trophies

Manager Xabi Alonso hailed Mykhailo Mudryk's "emotional" return from a doping ban as the winger played for Chelsea for the first time in nearly two years in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Mykhailo Mudryk was cleared on Friday to resume his career after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal".

Brazil striker Richarlison scored a 90th-minute winner and club record signing Sandro Tonali got his first goal as 10-man Tottenham beat London rivals Chelsea 2-1 in a feisty pre-season friendly in Sydney on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso Friday said new signing Maxence Lacroix has a winner's mentality and will boost their defensive line, hailing his "strong personality".

Chelsea's Brazilian striker Joao Pedro is "very hungry" after his World Cup snub, with a quick-fire hat-trick in the team's opening pre-season game impressing new manager Xabi Alonso.

How do you maximise James' influence while reducing the physical demands that have repeatedly interrupted his career? The answer may not come from Reece James himself. It may come from Geovany Quenda.

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club's manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard the latest coach tasked with turning around the club's fortunes.

Referencing Madrid sacking German manager Jupp Heynckes in 1998 eight days after winning the Champions League for failing to win La Liga, Klopp said "it's always like that from Madrid when they're not first in the table."

Xabi Alonso's exit from Real Madrid sent shockwaves across the sporting spectrum.