Xabi Alonso has commented on Chelsea's disappointing 2-2 draw with Hull City, a match that highlighted the defensive frailties of his side.
Once again, Chelsea faced issues at the back, conceding nine goals in just four matches under Alonso.
Alonso: We need to defend better
The Chelsea manager admitted that his team made it far too easy for their opponents to get back into the match after taking the lead.
“It might look interesting from the outside, but I hope you one day say the match was boring because we won and didn’t allow the opponents to create such moments,” Alonso stated.
According to the Spaniard, Chelsea had controlled the game and created chances, but everything changed after they conceded the first goal.
“We are repeating some of the same mistakes. When you take the lead, you need to keep playing with intensity and not allow the opponent back into the game so easily. Especially with the first goal, we could have done a lot better,” he added.
Alonso pointed out that the team's soft approach allowed Hull City to believe they could turn things around.
Chelsea's defensive struggles
The manager emphasized that the problems extend beyond set pieces.
“Overall, I think we attack better than we defend in all aspects of the game,” Alonso explained.
He acknowledged that the defence has become a serious concern for Chelsea since the start of the season.
“We know this is a big topic for us. Just four matches have gone by, but I don’t like the pattern of how many goals we are conceding. We have to play much better,” he insisted.
According to Alonso, Chelsea must improve their play against counter-attacks, set pieces, and long balls while becoming a tougher and more competitive side overall.
Alonso: No relaxing after taking the lead
The Chelsea boss underscored the importance of maintaining focus even after scoring.
“Even when we are ahead, a very important part of the game is to stay compact, keep the distance between lines, and be intense in defence. I am confident we can play better,” he said.
Alonso believes his team must be prepared for danger from any situation.
“You must understand that any Premier League team can cause you problems. Today it happened after a long ball and two rebounds. We need to be very alert and ready for danger from any scenario,” he added.
Why was Hato substituted at half-time?
The substitution of Yorrel Hato at half-time was a tactical decision rather than an injury-related one.
“Tactically,” Alonso responded when asked about the reason for the substitution.
The manager explained that he needed a player with a different profile, bringing on Pep Chavarria to change the characteristics of the player in that position.
