New system, same problems - Alonso not happy with 'soft' Chelsea

What the report says

Chelsea’s 2-2 home draw with newly promoted Hull City left manager Xabi Alonso frustrated, as the Premier League side again struggled to protect a lead. BBC Sport reported that Chelsea have now conceded at least twice in each of their first four league games, and have gone 20 league matches without a clean sheet, a run stretching back to January. The result came at Stamford Bridge and continued a pattern of high-scoring matches for a team that has been strong in attack but vulnerable defensively.

Alonso said his side needed to compete better and be less “soft” in duels, arguing that Chelsea were still open even when they had periods of control. He said the team could have done more to stop Hull’s goals, and described the performance as something his players “deserved” after failing to manage the game. BBC Sport also noted individual mistakes in the buildup to both Hull goals, alongside saves from Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez that prevented further damage.

The article says Alonso has been changing systems as he looks for a solution, but he stressed that formation alone is not the answer and that the issue is more about player profiles and game management. Chelsea’s attack, including Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, remains productive, but the defensive balance is a growing concern ahead of Friday’s trip to Brentford before the international break. The report adds that Chelsea cannot add more players until January, increasing pressure on Alonso and his staff to tighten the side on the training ground.