Premier League superstars on the plane to Sydney
Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Estêvão and Andy Robertson are among the Premier League superstars heading to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed the touring party on Saturday as the big-spending club jetted out of London for games against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday and fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur on August 1.
Cole Palmer (left) on the flight to Sydney. Chelsea FC
As expected, players who featured at the World Cup have been given time off ahead of the Premier League season kick-off on August 22 (AEST).
Alonso has also included highly rated 21-year-old Italy right back Marco Palestra, a new signing from Serie A heavyweights Atalanta.
But perhaps the most intriguing of the 28 named to head Down Under is 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.
The Sydney-born England youth international is viewed as a potential superstar.
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli of England runs with the ball. Getty
“Jazuli has been tipped for a blistering career at Stamford Bridge after catching the eye of several top European clubs in recent months,” The Sun reported in October.
“Widely regarded as the best player in his age group and plays with a style reminiscent of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.”
Nicoll-Jazuli is eligible to play for the Socceroos in years to come as long as he is not capped by England at senior level.
The prodigy has an Australian mother and a Sudanese father and joined Chelsea at the tender age of six.
Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season, falling from fourth in the previous season.
Chelsea last won the Premier League in 2017 under Antonio Conte.
Alonso is the eighth permanent manager since then.
The 44-year-old Spaniard danced around the subject when asked whether he was confident he would be given enough time to build a team that could challenge for the title.
“What I am sure is that we have the ambition to want to win a lot of games, to be competitive,” he said.
“I’m not going to say what will happen in May. It’s absolutely too early to say that, but I am confident, I am optimistic that we can have a great season.”
Alonso said he wanted to see greater hunger and a desire to improve from his players.
“We need hunger, passion, we need to want to improve,” Alonso said.
“The Premier League is so competitive. We need to prepare ourselves, we need to be determined in the details, in how we want to play. But the most important bit is our game.”
Palestra has signed on a deal running until 2033.
“He has many great qualities for modern football. He can play in a back four or a back five, on the left. We need to keep working with him to adapt to the Premier League. He has a great mentality in terms of competitiveness and his hunger,” Alonso said.
Alonso’s appointment marks a return to English football for the Spaniard, who made 210 appearances for Liverpool before joining Real Madrid in 2009 and ended his playing career at Bayern Munich in 2017.
Alonso said one of his priorities was to establish a clear identity and unite the squad ahead of the new season.
“To be part of that process, how we want to play, how we want to approach a game, that’s my goal,” Alonso said. “That’s what I am looking forward to with the whole squad.”
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at Fulham on August 25 (AEST).
Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool star Andy Robertson was included in Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs squad.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, centre back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are the other new signings in their travelling squad.
Andy Robertson and Roberto De Zerbi speak to media ahead of the pre-season friendly match between Auckland FC and Tottenham Hotspur. Phil Walter
Notable established players include forwards Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, midfielders Conor Gallagher and James Maddison, and defenders Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven.
Missing are five first-team regulars recovering from injuries – Mohamed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Guglielmo Vicario – and six players still on leave following the World Cup, including fullback Pedro Porro, a winner with Spain.
The other five are Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence.
Spurs kick off their tour against A-League champions Auckland City at Eden Park on Sunday. - with Stuff
Chelsea squad
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Robert Sanchez, Ted Curd, Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Levi Colwill, Calvin Diakite, Landon Emenalo, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marco Palestra, Mamadou Sarr, Tayo Subuloye
Midfielders: Dario Essugo, Roméo Lavia, Madhi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh, Reggie Watson
Forwards: Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Omari Kellyman, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Dastan Satpeyev, Estevao Willian
Tottenham Hotspur squad
Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin, Martin Dúbravka, Antonín Kinský, Dylan Thompson
Defenders: Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Malachi Hardy, Andy Robertson, Kota Takai, Tyler Tingey, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke
Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Reiss Russell-Denny, Sandro Tonali, Luca Williams-Barnett
Forwards: Damola Ajayi, Jamie Donley, Mason Melia, Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, Mathys Tel, Yang Min-Hyeok
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