Chelsea's once dazzling attack provided a temporary shield against their defensive frailties, but the mask has now slipped. The club currently finds itself at the bottom of the Premier League, having conceded 12 goals over just five games, and alarmingly, they are yet to keep a clean sheet.
This statistic is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the depth of the issues at Stamford Bridge. Opponents are finding it alarmingly easy to breach Chelsea's defence under the management of Xabi Alonso.
With the highest number of shots on target conceded in the league, Chelsea languish in last place for this unwanted statistic. They are also 19th for expected goals against (xGA), suggesting that they are surrendering more clear-cut chances than the quality of their opponents' opportunities would imply. This points to a breakdown not just in defensive organisation but also in goalkeeping, with the shot-stoppers failing to bail out their teammates' mistakes.
It's important to note that the issues extend beyond just the backline. The midfield is not offering adequate protection, allowing rival teams to regularly pose a threat. The long-anticipated return of Moises Caicedo should provide some much-needed stability in the centre, but to expect one player to fix all the issues would be overly optimistic.
Xabi Alonso faces a multifaceted challenge: Chelsea must both reduce the number of chances they concede and bolster their reliability in goal.
As it stands, the numbers are stark: 12 goals conceded in five matches, zero clean sheets, and rock bottom for both goals against and shots on target allowed. While Chelsea's attack once managed to cover these cracks earlier in the season, it is now clear that defensive lapses have begun to cost the club valuable points.
