Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is making the most of the international break by focusing on urgent corrections in his squad. With key players staying back at Cobham, Alonso aims to rectify his side's defensive issues and prepare for a much-needed turnaround.
The Blues started the Premier League season brightly with solid victories against Fulham and Brighton, but their momentum swiftly dissipated. A loss to Arsenal at the Emirates followed by a disheartening draw with Hull City saw them squander an early advantage. The real blow came in a Friday fixture against Brentford, where Alonso's men conceded three goals in a crushing defeat.
With only seven points gathered from the first five matches, Chelsea find themselves perilously close to the bottom half of the table.
In light of this, the gaffer is determined to leverage the break for maximum benefit. Captain Reece James, along with nine other key players not called up for international duty, will remain in London. This offers the Spaniard a prime opportunity to work intensively on the training pitches, focusing on the glaring deficiencies in the back line.
This necessary pause allows Alonso to take a measured look at the state of his squad, restructure playing interactions, and prepare the team for a much-needed restart in the Premier League.
