Chelsea fans think it's 'over' for star player after Xabi Alonso signing impresses against Spurs

Chelsea fans think a star player will lose his place in the starting XI after a new signing impressed supporters during the Blues’ Sydney Super Cup match against Tottenham.

The London rivals faced off in front of 80,000 fans at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday (August 1), with Roberto De Zerbi’s side running out 2-1 winners.

Spurs’ summer recruits Andrew Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali all started the match, while Chelsea’s star names Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana were given the nod from the start by Xabi Alonso.

Tonali, who completed a £100 million move from Newcastle United earlier this summer, opened the scoring in the 17th minute, registering his first goal for the Lilywhites before Chelsea winger Estevao levelled things with a close-range header four minutes later.

Both head coaches made changes at half-time, with Kevin Danso and Richarlison replacing Van Hecke and Dominic Solanke, while Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli replaced Romeo Lavia for Chelsea.

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But Danso’s evening lasted just three minutes as he was sent off for pulling down Pedro and, in doing so, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

After several changes later in the match, Richarlison popped up with the winner, tapping home Jamie Donley’s rebound in second-half stoppage time.

Chelsea fans praise new signing in Spurs defeat

Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Chelsea right-back Marco Palestra received huge plaudits on social media, with some fans even suggesting he could be a ready-made replacement for Reece James if he continues to perform at the level he showed in Sydney.

The Italian also formed a promising partnership with Estevao, which one fan described as "nuts".

Another fan said: "Marco Palestra is going to change our lives down that right-hand side at Chelsea. I can see why other fans were so bothered about him; he's going to be a weapon."

A second wrote: "Marco Palestra, take a bow. What a masterclass against Spurs. Composed, fearless, and dominant from start to finish. Chelsea really hit the belly with this signing."

While a third commented: "Marco Palestra maturing in the Premier League will become one of the best RWB in the league. Estevao would love to play with him."

A fourth added: "Hear me out everyone and bookmark this... PALESTRA WILL BENCH REECE JAMES... YES, I said it! Physically top notch, speed, crossing, etc. Palestra is the one."

Palestra was Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea boss, with the Italian arriving from Atalanta for £47 million and penning a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will now travel to Hong Kong, where they face Italian giants Juventus on August 5 before taking on AC Milan in Jakarta on August 8 and Johor Darul Ta'zim in Johor the following day.

Alonso’s side round off their pre-season at Stamford Bridge against Spain’s Real Sociedad on August 15 before their Premier League opener away at Fulham on August 24.