Xabi Alonso’s start at the helm of Chelsea has coincided with a grim record that echoes a dismal past. The Blues have let in 12 goals across just five Premier League outings, matching the club's worst defensive start in the league's history.
This unwanted milestone has only been seen once before, during the 2015/16 season under the management of Jose Mourinho. That campaign ended with the Portuguese being sacked before Christmas, despite Chelsea being the reigning champions at the time.
However, Alonso’s current results are somewhat more promising: the team has secured two victories along with one defeat. In contrast, Mourinho's side at this stage ten years ago had suffered three defeats. Yet, the defensive frailties are raising serious concerns among pundits.
The international break presents the coaching staff with an opportunity for a reset. A staggering 22 players from various age groups have gone off to represent their national teams. Without any planned friendly matches, Alonso will have uninterrupted time to address the defensive errors back at the training ground before the returns of Cole Palmer and other key players.
The impact of Alonso is already evident in the club’s structure: the U-21 academy side at Cobham, dubbed Next Gen, has been fully adopting the first team's flexible tactical approach, featuring three central defenders in their recent matches.
