Chelsea’s problems mounted as their pre-season tour came to an end in a strangely fiery draw against the Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. Alonso, tasked with transforming a club that finished 10th in the Premier League last season into Champions League qualifiers, made 11 changes for the friendly against JDT. He rested players after beating Milan with a strong lineup only 24 hours earlier, 600 miles away. The 23-year-old is believed to want to stay and fight for his place, having already proved his Premier League pedigree with 12 top-flight goals for Ipswich. Then the season will kick off – and the fun and games will really begin.