Chelsea began the campaign with an exhilarating burst of form under their new manager Xabi Alonso, yet a defeat at Arsenal followed by setbacks against Hull City and Brentford have stalled their momentum. To reverse this trend during a crucial upcoming stretch of fixtures, the Spaniard will have to tackle two fundamental problems that have been highlighted by recent analysis on Sky Sports' Premier League podcast. The discussion centered on Chelsea's defensive frailties – they have already allowed more goals than any other side in the league – and a midfield that has struggled to dominate matches in the absence of a fully fit Moises Caicedo.
With a busy schedule ahead – a home clash with Bournemouth, then away trips to Everton and Manchester United, a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool, a home game against Tottenham, and a further away fixture at Sunderland before the next international break – Sky Sports News correspondent James Savundra broke down the issues and suggested how Alonso could remedy them. "The defensive woes Chelsea are experiencing actually predate Alonso's tenure," Savundra said. "It has now been 21 Premier League games since the club kept a clean sheet, which is astonishing given the amount of turnover and transition the club has undergone in 2026. For an institution of Chelsea's stature, that simply isn't acceptable." He went on to evaluate the goalkeeping situation, noting that the signing of Emi Martinez initially appeared to be a straightforward solution after a period of uncertainty between the posts.
"Martinez was expected to plug the holes that had plagued the side in recent seasons, but many fans acknowledge that he is not quite at the level he displayed two or three years ago," Savundra explained. "He is still adapting, and the adjustment period is taking longer than either he or the club anticipated. Remember, he was a World Cup winner only a few months ago, playing in the final, so there is still plenty of quality to draw upon." In defence, Savundra praised the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix, describing him as a sensible addition who brings experience while still possessing room for improvement.
However, injuries have forced Alonso to constantly reshuffle his back line. "The preferred three‑centre‑back unit looks to be Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Lacroix," he said, "but Colwill, who impressed in the FA Cup final after returning from injury, has found it difficult to settle on the left side of a back three, especially with Lacroix often dropping deeper." The analyst also highlighted the need for a defined role for young full‑back Josh Acheampong, whose supporters are eager to see him start regularly. "You cannot win trophies without a solid core," Savundra warned.
"The goalkeeper is still finding his feet, the defence is not yet where it should be, and the midfield is currently the weakest link." Midfield, indeed, has been a revolving door. Caicedo has logged a mere 14 minutes of Premier League action this season, and the midfield roster has changed weekly. This volatility was starkly illustrated on Friday Night Football when Jordan Henderson made an unexpected debut for Chelsea, starting alongside Valentin Barco against Brentford.
"When Marco Palestra returns fit – he impressed as a wing‑back during pre‑season – and Caicedo finally gets a run, the team will look dramatically different," Savundra asserted. Looking ahead to the January window, the pundit suggested that the club's immediate priority is to let its existing midfielders prove themselves. "Between now and January, the question will be which midfielder can audition the best and convince the ownership and Alonso that there is no need to spend on a new signing," he said. He also mentioned Romeo Lavia, who has remained fit and completed matches, but was omitted from the Brentford game, raising doubts about his reliability as a starter.
Reece James, meanwhile, continues to battle fitness issues. "The ideal scenario would see Caicedo partnered with James," Savundra noted, "but James has already shown this season that he still needs to master his defensive responsibilities.
The goal Martin Ødegaard scored for Arsenal was a direct result of James failing to track a runner, and a similar lapse occurred against Leeds." In conclusion, Savundra emphasized patience and fitness as the twin pillars of Chelsea's revival. "When everyone is healthy and the club embraces a realistic timeline, things will improve. Alonso, the owners, and the players must all accept that rebuilding will take time," he concluded.
To summarise, Alonso's roadmap involves stabilising the back line by cementing a consistent three‑centre‑back formation, restoring confidence in the goalkeeper position, and finally unlocking a midfield that can control games when key players like Caicedo and James return to full fitness. If these steps are taken with the requisite patience, Chelsea could very well turn their early-season setbacks into a platform for a strong finish to the campaign.