Chelsea FC faces defensive crisis under manager Xabi Alonso

Chelsea FC is facing a significant defensive crisis during the opening weeks of the Premier League season under new manager Xabi Alonso. The club has conceded 12 goals in its first five league matches, marking the worst defensive record in the division. Additionally, the team has yet to record a single clean sheet this campaign, a streak that extended to more than 20 matches following a 3–0 defeat against Brentford.

The current situation stands in stark contrast to Alonso’s previous managerial record. During his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, his side won the Bundesliga title while conceding only 24 goals in 34 matches. His earlier work at Real Madrid also focused on defensive control and reducing the number of counter-attacks faced.

Analysts are currently debating whether the struggles stem from the implementation of a new tactical system, key player absences, or individual errors on the pitch.