Chelsea secured a 6-4 victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney during the team's opening pre-season match. The game marked the managerial debut of Xabi Alonso, whose new squad featured four different strikers throughout the contest.
The match was highlighted by the performance of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who scored a nine-minute hat-trick. According to Alonso, the striker is demonstrating a "very hungry" attitude following his recent omission from the World Cup squad.
The exhibition match served as an early evaluation period for Alonso as he manages a roster with varying striker prospects. The performance of the attacking unit remains a focal point as the club prepares for the upcoming season.
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