Habi Alonso finds himself in a precarious position as the international break arrives. The Spanish manager kicked off his Chelsea career with two Premier League victories and an entertaining style, but a downturn has followed — with a loss against Arsenal (1-2), a draw with Hull City (2-2), and a damaging 0-3 defeat to Brentford.
With seven points from five matches and a negative goal difference (11-12), it’s not quite a full-blown crisis yet, but alarm bells are ringing. These recent slip-ups can no longer be blamed on a mere bedding-in period. Alonso now has a three-week window to transform this erratic and vulnerable squad into a cohesive unit.
1. Turn defending into a team responsibility
The main issue has been clearly identified by Alonso himself: defensive failings cannot solely rest on the central defenders and goalkeeper’s shoulders. Defence begins with the entire team, and this significantly affects Chelsea's attacking play.
When Chelsea pushes forward in numbers, the structure behind the ball must remain firm to quickly curb counter-attacks following a loss of possession. Currently, distances between players are alarmingly stretched; one stray pass can lead to opposing players surging into vast open spaces.
The first half against Brentford demonstrated that Chelsea can control proceedings, but that composure evaporated after the interval as the hosts increased the tempo. Alonso has frequently mentioned the need for balance and stability. While the Londoners scored 18 goals in their first six matches across all competitions, these efforts are undermined by persistent defensive lapses. The head coach needs to adjust player positioning before possession is lost, rather than scrambling to put out fires after the fact.
2. Address set-piece calamities
This vulnerability can no longer be ignored. Brentford’s opener was a direct result of a corner kick, where Chelsea's defenders failed to cope with the delivery, allowing Antony to find ample space. Earlier in the match against Arsenal, two set-pieces proved decisive in the outcome.
Premier League opponents have adeptly picked up on this frailty. Set pieces, which should be organised, predictable scenarios, become dangerous for Chelsea as their defence operates in a highly unreliable manner. A combination of youth and experience in the squad should offer physical prowess and discipline, yet opponents consistently exploit weak points. Alonso must reassess marking strategies (whether man-to-man or zonal), tweak roles, or instill a sense of fierceness to turn their penalty area back into a fortress.
3. Stop turning every match into chaos
In the early weeks, Chelsea’s unpredictability mesmerised fans. A prime example was the goal-fest against Brighton (4-3): Chelsea surged to a 3-0 lead, only to concede twice and narrowly secure victory thanks to a goal from Cole Palmer with frustratingly low possession (just 26%). Alonso has shown that controlling a match does not equate to sterile possession play.
However, chaos should not become their identity. Against Hull City, Chelsea led but quickly conceded twice and salvaged a draw only due to a goal from Joao Pedro (2-2). After that match, Alonso admitted he looked forward to the day his team’s wins could be described as “boring,” secured through class and without unnecessary drama. With the talent available, Chelsea should be capable of winning without constantly having to scrap for survival.
4. Build attacks through combinations, not individual brilliance
The attacking unit masks systemic issues with moments of individual brilliance:
- Cole Palmer creates goals from thin air;
- Joao Pedro drops deep, linking play and finishing chances;
- Morgan Rogers breaks down defences with dribbling;
- Pedro Neto offers explosive pace and width;
- Estevao guarantees threat on the flank with one-on-one ability.
Yet, bursts of individual talent do not equate to an organised team effort. In an ideal setup, Alonso’s players must complement each other.
Joao Pedro plays a special role, with Alonso likening his style to Karim Benzema’s, appreciating his ability to orchestrate play. The Brazilian won the Player of the Month award in August for his striking displays against Fulham and Brighton. His movements create space for Palmer and Rogers to exploit. Unfortunately, his injury ahead of the Brentford derby dismantled the entire attacking structure: without Joao Pedro and Reece James, the attack appeared toothless. The coaching staff’s task is to develop attacking mechanisms that function effectively even in the absence of key forwards.
5. Grant Palmer freedom, but don’t make him the only hope
Palmer has made a strong start to the season under Alonso, contributing four goals and two assists in seven matches before a minor injury struck ahead of the international break.
The manager openly labels him a leader on the pitch, stating, “The better Cole plays, the stronger Chelsea becomes.” However, individual freedom must be grounded in team discipline. Palmer's unpredictability is a threat, but the structure must not collapse when he drifts out of position. Alonso needs to integrate Cole into a system that allows his teammates to find him at crucial moments, preventing the need for him to drop deep to collect the ball from his defenders.
6. Get order on the flanks
Alonso has been experimenting with flexible formations featuring constant rotations in the final third and aggressive use of width. He views formations merely as a starting point, demanding transformations throughout matches.
Yorrel Hato started the season on the left flank, with Neto or Rogers providing support up front. However, when multiple players cluster in one area, the team loses width on the opposite side. Furthermore, if both full-backs push forward simultaneously, the midfield becomes exposed. Alonso must establish clear triggers for who maintains width in specific attacking phases. After conceding the first goal against Brentford, the width on the flanks stagnated: the opponent calmly shut down spaces and repeatedly broke on the counter.
7. Transform a deep squad from a source of chaos into an asset
Chelsea’s squad boasts impressive names and depth, yet it has not translated into stability. In the match against Brentford, the coaching team was forced to make five changes to the starting lineup: Pep Chavarria, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson, and Danny Welbeck debuted in the Premier League. Alongside the injured James and Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra were not even included in the squad.
Injuries complicate matters, but Alonso has firmly refused to use the injury crisis as an excuse. This international break serves as an opportunity to outline a plan “B”:
- Who can fill in for Joao Pedro during his absence?
- What midfield combination can maintain balance without Caicedo?
- Who forms a reliable partnership in central defence?
- In which fixtures can Henderson’s experience provide control?
- How to integrate Estevao without compromising reliability in transition phases?
A backup plan must not devolve into panic-induced improvisation — each substitute must clearly understand their role.
8. Instil a warrior mentality for all 90 minutes
Alonso’s key message following the loss to Brentford revolved around psychology:
We need to perform at our maximum level for the entire match.
From the outset, Alonso has spoken about a winning mindset and unity. The Brentford derby starkly highlighted the gap between these ideals and the reality on the pitch. Up until half-time, the team held firm, but as the hosts ramped up their intensity and physicality, Chelsea faltered.
Established clubs respond coolly to shifts in match dynamics: they disrupt opponents’ momentum, win key duels, extinguish counter-attacks with strategic fouls, and protect possession. Chelsea is still learning this composure. Winners are forged through sound decision-making in critical moments, and instilling this character is a challenge Alonso must embrace in the coming weeks.
