Chelsea began the campaign with an electrifying display under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, yet a defeat at Arsenal followed by setbacks against Hull City and Brentford have seen their momentum stall. To reverse this trend during a crucial upcoming stretch of fixtures, the new Blues manager must tackle two fundamental problems that have been highlighted by pundits and insiders alike. The latest Sky Sports Premier League podcast dissected Chelsea's early-season performance and identified the defensive frailties and midfield instability as the primary concerns. Chelsea's back line has already conceded more goals than any other side in the league, while the midfield has struggled to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, largely due to the absence of an injury‑plagued Moises Caicedo.
With a packed schedule ahead – a home clash with Bournemouth, followed by away trips to Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Manchester United, and a home game against Sunderland before the next international break – the pressure on Alonso to find solutions is mounting. Sky Sports News reporter James Savundra broke down the issues and suggested possible remedies. He noted that Chelsea's defensive woes pre‑date Alonso's arrival, pointing out that the club has gone 21 Premier League matches without a clean sheet, a statistic that is alarming for a team of Chelsea's stature.
The defensive transition in 2026 has been turbulent, with a high turnover of personnel and constant tactical adjustments. While the signing of goalkeeper Emi Martinez was initially hailed as a logical move to address previous goalkeeping inconsistencies, Savundra argued that Martinez has not yet returned to the form that made him a World Cup finalist a few years ago.
The adjustment period appears to be longer than anticipated, and the club hopes he will regain his earlier standards as the season progresses. In the defensive unit, the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix was praised for adding experience and the potential for further development.
However, injuries have forced Alonso to reshuffle the back line repeatedly. The preferred three‑centre‑back configuration – Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Lacroix – has been disrupted by Colwill's struggles on the left side after returning from injury, and Lacroix often dropping deeper than intended, which creates positional imbalances. Savundra also highlighted the need for a clear role for young full‑back Josh Acheampong, whose supporters are eager to see him start, but emphasized that a solid defensive core must be established first. Midfield, meanwhile, has been in a state of flux.
Caicedo has logged only 14 minutes of Premier League action this season, and the midfield has been re‑shaped week after week. The most surprising development was the unexpected inclusion of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in a starting role against Brentford, paired with Valentin Barco – a pairing no analyst could have predicted. Savundra suggested that once Marco Palestra, who impressed as a wing‑back in pre‑season, is fully fit, the midfield dynamics could shift dramatically. The upcoming period will essentially become a trial for midfield candidates, as the club evaluates whether they need to invest in a new midfielder during the current transfer window.
Romeo Lavia has been a bright spot, remaining fit and completing matches, yet his omission from the Brentford game raises questions about his reliability as a starter. Reece James, another key figure, continues to battle fitness issues. The ideal scenario would see Caicedo and James operating together, but James has demonstrated lapses in defensive positioning, notably in the game where Martin Ødegaard's goal for Arsenal resulted from James failing to track a runner. Similar mistakes occurred against Leeds, underscoring that James is still adapting to his role.
Looking ahead, Savundra believes that Chelsea's fortunes will improve dramatically once the injury list clears. Patience from the coaching staff, the ownership, and the supporters will be essential as the squad regains full strength. Alonso's tactical acumen, combined with a fit and balanced back line and a midfield that finally gels, could transform the team's trajectory before the winter break. In summary, the two pivotal areas that Xabi Alonso must address are: 1.
**Defensive Cohesion** – Stabilising the goalkeeper position, establishing a reliable three‑centre‑back partnership, and integrating full‑backs like Acheampong and James into a consistent system. 2.
**Midfield Balance** – Restoring Caicedo to regular action, defining clear roles for emerging talents such as Lavia and Palestra, and deciding whether additional signings are required. If these challenges are met, Chelsea can convert their early‑season promise into a sustained challenge for the Premier League title and cup competitions, turning the narrative from one of disappointment to one of resurgence under Alonso's guidance.