Chelsea hosts Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026, for their final preseason friendly under new manager Xabi Alonso. The match marks debuts for summer signings Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, and Marco Palestra, with Reece James captaining the side.
Preseason reaches its final chapter for the Blues on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as Chelsea welcomes Real Sociedad to Stamford Bridge for a 14.00 BST kickoff (9am EDT; 7:30pm IST). It marks the final preseason match of Xabi Alonso’s first year at the helm for the Blues, as well as the first time Xabi Alonso sits in the home dugout at the Bridge. The match represents an interesting test given that the entire squad is now available for selection.
New Signings Feature in Alonso’s Starting XI Against Real Sociedad
The afternoon fixture brings the first look at several summer acquisitions taking the pitch in Chelsea blue. Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix play their first games in Chelsea blue as Real Sociedad visits Stamford Bridge for this final pre-season friendly. Our new manager has selected Rogers, Lacroix, and another new signing, Marco Palestra, in today’s starting XI.
The rest of the starting formation lines up in a 4-2-3-1 tactical shape. Rob Sánchez is between the posts, positioned behind a defensive line featuring Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, and Palestra. Club captain Reece James starts today and is expected to join Moises Caicedo in midfield, while the attacking and creative positions feature starts for Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Rogers, and João Pedro.
Match Squads and Stamford Bridge Lineups
With the entire squad now available, the bench offers plenty of depth and options for rotation. Valentin Barco and Pep Chavarría are named on the bench and could play their first Chelsea game today alongside a large group of substitutes.
Chelsea’s substitute options include Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Chavarria, Gusto, Hato, Essugo, Lavia, Barco, Enzo, Estêvão, Gittens, and Quenda. Real Sociedad’s traveling squad is led by starting players Remiro, Aramburu, Barrene (Barrenetxea) as captain, Óskarsson, Herrera, Take (Take Kubo), Sergio Gómez, C. Soler, Sucic, Jon Martin, and Beitia. Real Sociedad’s substitutes listed for the fixture are Marrero, Folgago (Folgado), Aihen (Munoz), Zubeldia, Turrientes, Oyarzabal, Marín, Zakharyan, Ruperez, Goti, Marchal, Lebarbier, and Ochieng.
| Team | Starting Formation & Key Personnel |
|---|---|
| Chelsea (4-2-3-1) | Sánchez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Palestra; James (c), Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Rogers; João Pedro |
| Real Sociedad | Remiro; Aramburu, Barrene, Óskarsson, Herrera, Take, Sergio Gómez, C. Soler, Sucic, Jon Martin, Beitia |
Global Broadcast and Streaming Options for CFC+ Subscribers
Access to the friendly varies significantly by region, with the only TV coverage worldwide coming from a channel originating in the Basque Country where our opponents are from. Viewers in the United States and the United Kingdom will find no traditional television coverage. In Spain, the match broadcasts locally via ETB 1. For supporters everywhere else around the globe, live streaming is available directly through the Chelsea Official App and website via a CFC+ subscription.
Fans can choose between a match-only purchase or full season access. The digital stream is priced at £9.99 for just the game, or £14.99/$19.99 for the whole season. Club channels explicitly note that the stream will not be shown in Spain.