Chelsea kicked off the campaign with an exhilarating burst of energy under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, yet a series of setbacks—including a defeat at Arsenal and disappointing performances against Hull City and Brentford—have seen their momentum stall. To reverse this trend, the newly appointed Blues manager must tackle two fundamental problems during an upcoming crucial stretch of fixtures. That conclusion was drawn on the latest Sky Sports Premier League podcast, which dissected Chelsea's early-season form under their fresh-faced boss. The discussion highlighted two glaring weaknesses: a leaky defence that has already conceded more goals than any other side in the league, and a midfield that struggles to dominate possession without the injured Moises Caicedo.
Both areas were placed under the microscope as the club prepares for its next match against Bournemouth, with a packed schedule that also includes trips to Everton (away), Tottenham Hotspur (home), a Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool (away), a home game versus Manchester United, and an away fixture at Sunderland before the international break. Sky Sports News reporter James Savundra broke down the issues and offered insight into how Alonso could potentially remedy them. "The defensive frailties Chelsea have exhibited actually predate Alonso's arrival. It has now been 21 Premier League games since they last kept a clean sheet, which is astonishing given the massive turnover and transitional phase the club has undergone in 2026.
For an institution of Chelsea's stature, such a record simply isn't acceptable," Savundra explained. He turned his attention to the goalkeeping situation, noting that the signing of Emi Martinez initially seemed like an obvious solution after years of uncertainty between the sticks. "There was a general consensus among fans that Martinez had slipped a few levels from where he was two or three seasons ago. The adaptation period is clearly taking longer than hoped, but he remains a World Cup winner who featured in the final just months ago.
If he can recapture that form, the back line will be far more secure." Savundra also praised the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix, describing him as a sensible addition who brings experience and still possesses room for improvement. However, he lamented the injury woes that have forced Alonso to constantly reshuffle his defensive lineup. "The preferred back three appears to be Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Lacroix, but Colwill—who impressed in the FA Cup final after returning from injury—has struggled on the left side of a back three with Lacroix slotting deeper." The analyst did not overlook the importance of squad depth, mentioning the promising youngster Josh Acheampong. "Supporters are eager to see him start, but a solid core is essential for any success.
With a goalkeeper still finding his rhythm, a back line that isn’t fully settled, and a midfield that is far from stable, the team cannot realistically compete for trophies at the moment." Midfield, according to Savundra, is perhaps the most acute concern. Moises Caicedo has logged a mere 14 minutes in the Premier League this season, while the midfield has been in constant flux, culminating in a surprising selection on Friday Night Football: Jordan Henderson, making his debut in a Chelsea shirt, started alongside Valentin Barco against Brentford. "That was a clear indicator of the chaos in the middle of the park," Savundra noted. He expressed optimism about the return of Marco Palestra, who impressed during pre‑season as a wing‑back, and the potential partnership of Caicedo with a creative midfielder.
"If Caicedo can stay fit, and Palestra adds his energy on the flanks, Chelsea could finally have a midfield that can both protect the defence and launch attacks." The conversation then shifted to the competition for midfield spots. "Between now and January, the key will be which midfielder can make the strongest case for a regular place. If a player can demonstrate consistency, Alonso and the owners might decide they don't need to splurge on a new signing this window." Regarding other midfield options, Savundra highlighted Romeo Lavia, who has remained fit and completed full matches, but was absent from the Brentford game, raising questions about his reliability as a starter. He also touched on the recurring injury problems of Reece James, noting that the ideal scenario would see Caicedo paired with James in a central role.
However, James has shown growing pains this season, with notable lapses in tracking runners, as evidenced by Martin Odegaard's goal for Arsenal and another missed assignment against Leeds United. "James is still learning the nuances of his position, and those mistakes can be costly," Savundra warned.
In conclusion, Savundra stressed the importance of patience and fitness. "When the entire squad is healthy, and there is genuine patience from the manager, the ownership, and the supporters, Chelsea's fortunes can improve dramatically. The process will take time, but the foundations are there if everyone stays the course." Overall, the analysis suggests that Alonso's path to success lies in stabilising the back line—potentially by giving Martinez the confidence to reclaim his best form, cementing a reliable three‑man defence, and ensuring key players like Fofana and Colwill remain injury‑free. Simultaneously, he must find a balanced midfield combination that can control games, protect the defence, and supply the forwards.
If these two pillars are reinforced, Chelsea could transform their early-season disappointment into a competitive push for honours as the season progresses.