Despite only being 13 games into the 2026/27 season, questions have begun to boil over regarding Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea and their start to the campaign.
The Blues are on the back of a defeat away to Sunderland, which has left them fifth in the league table on 16 points heading into the international break.
Having already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by Liverpool and their only win in four being at home to struggling Manchester United, it may be fair to say that their start to the year has been disappointing.
Especially when you consider that they have no European football this season and have had more recovery time than eight of the teams competing in said competitions.
Sunderland had just come off a 2-0 home loss against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday night but still looked sharper on Sunday than the Blues, who had eight days of rest.
It is of course still early days and perhaps the break has come at a good time for the West London side to reset, writes Sports News Blitz’s Nathan Dougan.
What has gone well?
Morgan Rogers. The £117m man has begun life at Chelsea in spectacular form and looks all but worth the club record fee.
He has bagged six goals and got four assists in all competitions.
The Englishman has started all 10 league games and has played the most minutes in the squad at 883.
He has been mostly used as an inside left forward/winger and has relished the freedom Alonso has been giving him.
Speaking on his start, Rogers said to TNT Sports: “Loving it [at Chelsea]. A new challenge. It's about the team coming together as a whole. Try to be a leader and stick to what I know best. A good start but I need to keep going.”
To Alonso’s men's credit, they have made quite the habit of beginning games on the front foot.
Chelsea have scored nine Premier League goals in the first five minutes of either half this season and seven before the first 15 minutes.
Their attack has been the shining light thus far as the Blues average 1.90 goals per game, which is the third highest in the division, and are leading the league in shots on target at 5.70 per 90.
They have netted 19 goals in 10 and have overperformed their Expected Goals (14.0) by five.
Joao Pedro had enjoyed a bright start to the season, scoring five times and picking up three assists in six games before suffering a muscle injury.
He has missed Chelsea’s last four games, in which they only won once.
Cobham product Josh Acheampong has become a mainstay under Alonso, making the right-back position his own.
The 20-year-old’s size, 1v1 defending, passing and carrying have all caused problems for opponents. However, Acheampong missed the Sunderland game through a minor problem.
Fans will be hopeful that Alonso can replicate their restart, as after the last international break Chelsea hammered Bournemouth 5-1.
Time off allowed the Spaniard to tweak his system, and he will be aiming to do the same before they host Leeds next Saturday.
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What has gone badly?
Chelsea have had major issues keeping the ball out of the back of their net and looking competent defensively.
They have conceded 16 goals so far and have only kept two clean sheets.
The Blues brought in Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa during the summer window - but that has not resulted in a better backline.
Levi Colwill, on the back of an ACL injury that kept him out for the vast majority of last season, has especially struggled under Alonso.
The 23-year-old was taken off at half-time at the weekend with Moises Caicedo playing as a makeshift centre-half.
Perhaps their problems in midfield can be looked at as reasoning for their dismal defending.
Romeo Lavia has seemingly burst into form over the past couple of games, but Caicedo missed the start of the campaign and was a doubt before playing the full 90 at the Stadium of Light.
Caicedo is one of the Blues’ most important players, and in his absence Malo Gusto and Reece James took turns playing in midfield, which did not go as planned.
Chelsea signed Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson in the summer, but Barco has only played 119 league minutes.
Henderson has started the past six games, including his remarkable two-goal performance against Bournemouth.
However, the 36-year-old is not as mobile as he once was, and this has been shown, so Alonso may benefit from fresher legs in midfield.
Perhaps the Blues should look at the January market as a chance to strengthen in that position.
Alex Scott has been linked after their move for Monaco’s Lamine Camara fell through at the final hour in the summer.
Injuries have also been a major issue for Chelsea as Martinez, Lacroix, Jorrel Hato, James, Jamie Gittens and Pedro are all out with problems.
Emanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra also missed time at the start of the campaign.
This is a concern as the club do not have Europe and are playing fewer minutes, but this has not kept players fit.
Questions may begin to unravel on Alonso’s training methods if this continues, but with his men having the week off, the hope will be that we begin to see some of these players return.
The Blues’ loss to Spurs was a real low moment for Alonso’s side as it was the first defeat to Spurs at home since 2018.
Cole Palmer being sent off was a setback too. The 24-year-old started the campaign brightly but has only scored one league goal since August, which was a penalty against Manchester United.
If Chelsea are to get back to winning ways, they will need much better output from the attacking midfielder.
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Biggest questions
Fan favourite Estevao Willian has only played 179 league minutes for Alonso, with his first start coming in their win against the Red Devils.
The Brazilian had two goals ruled out for offside and was one of the Blues’ brightest sparks, which begs the question of his lack of game time thus far.
New signing Geovany Quenda has also found opportunities hard to come by. He started in their loss to Spurs, but that was 72 of his 112 league minutes.
Martinez has seemingly recovered from his fractured jaw surgery as he was called up for Argentina. However, Mike Penders has impressed since his Spurs error.
So, the Chelsea boss will have a decision to make on whether Martinez retakes his place or if Penders is given a run.
Alonso’s biggest task over the coming games is tightening up his backline and figuring out a formula for his attack to operate without Pedro, especially if he is still unavailable through injury.
The hope will be that the striker will be fit for selection, but Chelsea cannot solely rely on the Brazilian to do the business.
The Blues’ season will not be defined by 13 games - but there are some areas for concern and a lot to improve on if they are to secure a Champions League spot.
