Chelsea vs Real Sociedad LIVE
Morgan Rogers marked his Chelsea debut with a goal, but it was Joao Pedro who ultimately fired the Blues to victory over Real Sociedad in their final pre-season friendly. Enzo Fernandez, initially booed, was then given a mixed reaction on his return to action, less than 24 hours after the deadline for a potential summer transfer passed, while Xabi Alonso handed minutes to a number of his summer signings.
After Joao Pedro’s header had been parried by Alex Remiro, Rogers was on hand for a simple tap-in, putting the Blues ahead inside the opening 11 minutes. Chelsea weren’t able to build on their early dominance and were grateful to Robert Sanchez for making two excellent stops to preserve the lead, though the Spaniard could do nothing about Jon Aramburu’s equaliser shortly before the break.
However, the hosts were back in front early in the second half as Reece James provided the cross for Joao Pedro to head home before the Brazilian made sure of the result when he latched onto Malo Gusto’s through ball and slotted home after some questionable goalkeeping from Remiro. Follow Chelsea vs Real Sociedad back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Real Sociedad latest news
- GOAL! Joao Pedro seals win for Chelsea
- GOAL! Joao Pedro heads Chelsea back in front
- GOAL! Jon Aramburu equalises for visitors
- GOAL! Rogers scores on debut
FULL-TIME
15:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad
Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: Three added minutes has been signalled.
Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad
15:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
87 min: Sliced clearance by Hato and Chelsea have some defending to do from a corner.
Poor usage of the ball from Sociedad.
Gusto emerges with the ball and wins a foul.
Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad
15:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
86 min: How has that stayed out? Real Sociedad free-kick flashes across the face of goal and it just needed a touch for a simple goal.
At the other end, Estevao shoots over the bar from a decent position.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
15:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Joao Pedro never looked like missing once he was through on goal. He's been in electric form this summer and looks set to carry that into the new season.
One of only two outfield players to start the match and still be on the pitch - you can see why.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Real Sociedad | Joao Pedro ‘76
15:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: GAME OVER!
Joao Pedro put clean through and he makes no mistake, sliding the ball into the opposite corner. Not great goalkeeping from Remiro.
Great pass from Malo Gusto.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
75 min: Here comes more Chelsea changes.
Hato, Estevao, Lavia, Gittens and a debut for Chavarria.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
74 min: Oyarzabal finds a bit of space in Chelsea’s box but his cross is just too strong for his team-mates in the middle.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
15:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Very funny battle going on between the Chelsea fans. They're in competition with each other, those booing loudly every time Fernandez touches the ball and those trying to drown that out by chanting his name.
He now heads just over from a corner, denying us the carnage of seeing what happens if he scores.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
67 min: It’s turned into the Enzo Fernandez game as he loops a header from Pedro Neto’s corner over the bar.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
66 min: Mixed reaction, to say the least, each time Fernandez gets on the ball.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
65 min: Benat Turrientes takes aim from range and his effort clears the top of the bar. Penders looked to have had that covered.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: Changes for Real Sociedad too as Oyarzabal is on and he almost scores with his first touch but his effort is blocked.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
15:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
We'll file that under mixed reaction. Plenty of boos as Enzo Fernandez's name is read out and he comes onto the pitch, but then the crowd break into a pretty loud chant of 'Oh, Enzo Fernandez'.
Bit of everything.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
61 min: Gusto, Fernandez, Penders, Acheampong all on for Chelsea.
Fernandez takes the captain’s armband.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
60 min: Here come the subs. Expecting plenty...
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
59 min: Chelsea knocking on the door for a third goal but Real Sociedad, on several occasions, survive and just about.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
53 min: Nearly a third for Chelsea as Joao Pedro’s effort is blocked for a corner.
Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
49 min: More good football from Chelsea as Palmer works the ball out to Joao Pedro but his shot is saved by Remiro.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
15:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Easy as you like. Can't be giving James that much space in the right channel. Perfect cross and Pedro this time doesn't need Rogers' help to find the back of the net.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Real Sociedad | Joao Pedro ‘47
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: CHELSEA BACK IN FRONT!
Palmer teases Gomez before laying the ball to Reece James and he floats a nice cross to the far post and Joao Pedro gets above his marker and powers a header into the net.
Chelsea 1-1 Real Sociedad
15:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
46 min: Nice pass from Neto into Rogers and he holds off the defender before whipping the ball across the face of goal but there are no takers.
KICK-OFF!
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in west London.
Doesn’t look like there are any changes from either side.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A few boos when his name was read out ahead of the warm-ups, but Enzo Fernandez got some applause as he trotted down the touchline to do some stretches towards the end of the half.
He was a man in demand on his way back too, stopping for a few selfies with some children.
Chelsea 1-1 Real Sociedad
14:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
HALF-TIME
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Real Sociedad | Jon Aramburu ‘45
14:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: REAL SOCIEDAD EQUALISE
Some finish that. Sociedad fans loving it, doing the Poznan in that corner at the other end of the ground. All been a bit flat from Chelsea since they took the lead, other than the odd flash from Neto or Rogers.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
14:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
If this is an audition of sorts for Neto, it's going well. He's been full of running on the right wing and has the beating of Gomez.
Not everything is coming off but he's been so direct.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
38 min: Really positive play from Neto down the right as he looked second best for the ball near the touchline, he drives towards the area and goes to ground in the box but it’s just a free-kick for Chelsea which is fizzed in low by the winger and Remiro has to be alert.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
34 min: Sucic does well to find space outside the are but slices an effort wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
33 min: Well, Sanchez certainly looks sharp today. Moments after making a stunning save to deny Jon Martin, he rushes off his line to stop Oskarsson from equalising.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
30 min: WHAT A SAVE!
Brilliant from Sanchez to keep out an effort from close range after Kubo’s free-kick had been blocked by the wall.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
29 min: Rogers loses possession and that forces James to bring down Herrera and hand Sociedad a free-kick in a dangerous position. New set-piece coach Austin McPhee is up and handing out instructions.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
28 min: Play resumes after the hydration break. Interesting to note that James spent a lot of time speaking with Alonso near the touchline.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
25 min: Sloppy play from Chelsea has led to a couple of chances for Real Sociedad but Herrera and then Kubo have been wasteful with their shooting.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
14:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Fair to say the Chelsea subs aren't loving the heat. Two have towels over their heads.
Another couple have whacked their shirts over themselves, but the bibs take the win. Three using those to hide from the sun.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
22 min: Very nearly as second goal for Chelsea as James clips a lovely ball over the top for Rogers and he tries to tee up Joao Pedro in the middle but gets a bit too much on his cross.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
19 min: CHANCE!
Almost a goal out of nothing for Real Sociedad but Barrenetxea pulls his effort just wide. Not great defending from Fofana there, just stood off the winger.
Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad
14:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
16 min: Kubo clips in a free-kick as Real Sociedad look to test Sanchez, Caicedo looks to have won the header but a goal kick is awarded instead.
Enzo Fernandez booed by Chelsea supporters on return to squad
14:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Enzo Fernandez was booed by the Chelsea fans as he returned to the matchday squad for the first time this summer.
The 25-year-old was given an extended break after reaching the World Cup final - a match in which he was sent off in - with Argentina.
That red card came after he scored the equaliser in the semi-final against England and celebrated by cupping his ears in front of the supporters.
Fernandez returned to training at Cobham this week but there has been intense speculation over his future.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
14:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It had been coming. Pedro denied by a top save, but it leaves Rogers with the simplest of finishes.
It's nearly 2-0 a minute later, Rogers and Pedro combining again. Lots of positive signs for the Blues.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Real Sociedad | Morgan Rogers ‘10
14:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
10 min: DEBUT GOAL!
A simple finish for Morgan Rogers as he is alert to Joao Pedro’s header being saved by Remiro.
Goals don’t come more easier than that.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
14:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Good start from Chelsea's wing-backs. Palestra really advanced on the left, already been involved plenty. Neto growing into the match on the other flank too, looking sharp.
That's where the threat in this back three system is coming from.
Chelsea 0-0 Real Sociedad
14:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
6 min: Chelsea threaten for the first time as Palmer does superbly down the right, his cut back is cleared to Caicedo who drags an effort wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Real Sociedad
14:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
5 min: It has been a good start by the visitors, though a couple of attacks have been halted because of the offside flag.
Chelsea 0-0 Real Sociedad
14:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
1 min: It’s a back three for Chelsea, but Palestra lining up at left-wing back instead of Neto.
KICK-OFF!
14:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go!
HERE WE GO!
13:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams are out at Stamford Bridge!
Real Sociedad ready for action
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
✊ Ready for the match. pic.twitter.com/w4gVIe4Tax
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 15, 2026
Chelsea's pre-season fixtures and results
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea's pre-season fixtures and results
Chelsea 6-4 Western Sydney Wanderers
Chelsea 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 0-1 Juventus
Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Johor Darul Ta'zim 3-3 Chelsea
15/08 - Chelsea vs Real Sociedad
Kick-off approaching in west London
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 minutes to go until kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
Real Sociedad in pre-season
13:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Sociedad 0-1 Pau
Real Racing Club 1-1 Real Sociedad
Wolves 1-2 Real Sociedad
Aston Villa 2-4 Real Sociedad
Toulouse 2-1 Real Sociedad
Koln 2-1 Real Sociedad
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
13:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Not many in their seats at Stamford Bridge at this stage, but there is a smattering of boos from those that are as Enzo Fernandez's name is read out.
We'll see what kind of reception he gets if he comes off the bench this afternoon.
Based on the evidence so far, it won't be a great one.
Fan reaction: No back-up striker
13:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
We don't even have a striker on the bench today. No Welbeck or Emegha.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 15, 2026
Team news reminder
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is how both teams will line-up for this afternoon's pre-season friendly.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Palestra, James (c), Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro
Substitutes: Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Chavarria, Gusto, Hato, Barco, Essugo, Fernandez, Lavia, Quenda, Estevao Willian, Gittens.
Real Sociedad XI: Remiro; Aramburu, Barrene, Oskarsson, Herrera, Take, Sergio Gomez, Soler, Sucic, Jon Martin, Beitia.
Substitutes: Marrero, Folgado, Aihen, Zubeldia, Turrientes, Oyarzabal, Marin, Zakharyan, Ruperez, Goti, Marchal, Lebarbier, Ochieng.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
13:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Our man at Stamford Bridge, Matt Verri, has reacted to the Chelsea team news.
🗣 "No real surprise." @MattVerri gives his thoughts on the #CFC team news!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) August 15, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/C8MVTdloZ0#CHERSO pic.twitter.com/t1UZNXur7V
Real Sociedad team in full
13:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Sociedad XI: Remiro; Aramburu, Barrene, Oskarsson, Herrera, Take, Sergio Gomez, Soler, Sucic, Jon Martin, Beitia.
Substitutes: Marrero, Folgado, Aihen, Zubeldia, Turrientes, Oyarzabal, Marin, Zakharyan, Ruperez, Goti, Marchal, Lebarbier, Ochieng.
Matt Verri at Stamford Bridge
13:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Xabi Alonso unsurprisingly names pretty much his first-choice lineup with the new season just over a week away.
Means a very exciting front three of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers.
Looks to be a back three with Pedro Neto at wing-back - plenty of speculation over his future this summer so a chance for him to impress.
Chelsea team in full
13:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Palestra, James (c), Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro
Substitutes: Penders, Slonina, Acheampong, Chavarria, Gusto, Hato, Barco, Essugo, Fernandez, Lavia, Quenda, Estevao Willian, Gittens.
CONFIRMED CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
13:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is the Chelsea team that Xabi Alonso has selected for this afternoon's pre-season friendly...
Today's line-up! 📋🔵 pic.twitter.com/6Ji64EH2YM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 15, 2026
CONFIRMED REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS
13:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Lining up for the visitors...
𝗫𝗜 | El once para el último amistoso. pic.twitter.com/CoZ28uZ4e9
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 15, 2026
Fernandez spotted
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Enzo Fernandez has arrived at Stamford Bridge!
Less than 24 hours removed from the deadline for a £120m summer transfer passing.
Real Sociedad arrive
12:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Sociedad arrive at Stamford Bridge seeking to beat English opposition for a third time this summer.
🏟️ Welcome to the Bridge ✨ pic.twitter.com/pkdqyMpkue
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 15, 2026
Xabi Alonso has outlines his football philosophy
12:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
In an interview with the Chelsea matchday programme, Xabi Alonso has outlined his football philosophy.
He said: “I would say that it’s about the collective responsibility.
“I think that we have always had that view to always feel responsible about teamwork – how can I help my team-mate? How can I prepare a strategic vision to achieve this goal? It’s very much there in the Basque society, and that’s continuous in the way we view football, as players and as managers in this case.
“[Those values] live with me, so I will transmit them to the players, because I don’t understand football in any other way than with these fundamentals, knowing that the team is always the most important. For sure, the individuals count so much, but always for the benefit of the team.”
Chelsea vs Real Sociedad LIVE - team news imminent
12:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
The Blues are back
12:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
For the first time under Xabi Alonso...
Back at SW6. 📍 pic.twitter.com/d34Ew2TH5p
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 15, 2026
Weather forecast
12:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It is expected to be 26° at kick-off at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
A lot cooler in London than it has been over the past two days, but still very warm.
Dastan Satpayev departs
12:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea have confirmed the loan departure of Dastan Satpayev, who moves to Burnley on a season-long deal.
The Kazakh striker, who joined the Blues from Kairat this summer, will spend the campaign playing in the Championship after the Clarets’ relegation from the top flight last term.
Satpayev, 18, joined up with his new Chelsea team-mates on the club’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, where he featured and scored in the 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Xabi Alonso and Real Sociedad: The story
12:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Xabi Alonso came through the ranks at the Basque club as a player before taking his first steps into management by coaching their B team in 2019.
Predicted Chelsea XI
12:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea’s squad is in desperate need of trimming down before the close of the transfer window, so Alonso will have plenty of options to pick from against Sociedad.
Among those whose futures remain in doubt but who could still feature this weekend are Liam Delap, who is valued at £50m by Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
All three strikers could still leave the club this summer, with Alonso yet to decide who will provide back up to first-choice forward Joao Pedro, alongside Danny Welbeck.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Penders; Palestra, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato; Henderson, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Fernandez set for Chelsea stay
12:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea look set to keep Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge after the transfer deadline they set for a potential exit expired.
Standard Sport reported previously that the Blues had put a strict deadline of 5pm BST on Friday, August 14 for any bids to be submitted for the Argentine midfielder.
Manchester City and Real Madrid both held interest in the 25-year-old, but neither lodged an offer to Xabi Alonso’s side before the 5pm cut-off point.
As such, it looks as though Fernandez, who Chelsea signed for £106.8m from Benfica back in 2023, will remain in west London and be a part of Alonso’s squad for the upcoming campaign.
Today's settings
12:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea are back at Stamford Bridge for the first time since beating Tottenham in their final home game of the 2025-26 Premier League season on May 19.
The Blues, overall, struggled here last season and that will be something Xabi Alonso has to fix.
Chelsea vs Real Sociedad latest match odds
12:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Chelsea to win: 1/2
Real Sociedad to win: 15/4
Draw: 15/4
Odds via betting sites (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
11:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Remarkably, this will be just second-ever meeting between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at any level.
Chelsea wins: 1
Real Sociedad wins: 0
Draws: 0
Score prediction
11:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Sociedad should provide a good test for Chelsea. Their form in pre-season against English opposition - beating Wolves and Aston Villa - suggests they will pose questions for the Blues defensively.
For Xabi Alonso's side, it’s all about getting players up to match sharpness. Though, it's also an opportunity to lay down a marker and provide a glimpse of what's to come.
Chelsea to win, 3-2.
Real Sociedad team news
11:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The Real Sociedad squad features World Cup winner Mikel Oyarzabal.
Sergio Gomez and Carlos Soler, formerly of Manchester City and West Ham respectively, are in the squad too.
📋 La convocatoria para viajar a Londres. pic.twitter.com/FfsAEl4lJZ
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 14, 2026
Chelsea team news: Quintet to make debuts
11:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Morgan Rogers could be in line to make his Chelsea debut, along with four other summer signings.
Rogers, a £117million arrival from Aston Villa last month, is yet to feature for his new club because of a mandatory three-week post World Cup holiday as he helped England beat France in the bronze final on July 18.
Maxence Lacroix, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria and Jordan Henderson could also make their Chelsea bows.
Captain Reece James, Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez are set to make their first appearances of pre-season.
How to watch Chelsea vs Real Sociedad
11:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the match will be available to watch live on the Chelsea Official App and Chelsea website with a CFC+ subscription.
Live coverage: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Chelsea vs Real Sociedad LIVE!
11:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Real Sociedad!
Preparations for the new season continues at in west London this afternoon as the Blues face Spanish opposition for the first time this summer.
For Xabi Alonso, it's a chance to build a connection with the home supporters and there could be several other debutants on show.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm BST from Stamford Bridge. Stick with us!
