“Work In Progress” Chelsea Must Cut Goals Conceded, Says Alonso
Xabi Alonso says Chelsea must improve defensively despite attacking start. Chelsea are joint-top scorers but have conceded 7 in 3 games. Xabi Alonso says his side must keep the attack and fix the defence.
“We want not to concede that many goals and that's the work of everyone, from the strikers to the goalkeeper...”
Xabi Alonso says his exciting Chelsea side will have to get better defensively after an explosive start to the campaign that has seen goals at both ends.
The Blues are currently level on top of the Premier League scoring charts with eight goals in three games, but they have also let in seven at the other end.
The drama carried on midweek as Chelsea went 2-0 down to Leeds in the Carabao Cup third round, only to hit back and run out 6-3 winners.
Speaking on Friday, Alonso said the Blues are still a work in progress in his first season in charge, with plenty of new faces coming through the door over the summer.
The Spaniard, who has won four of his opening five games, added that the plan is to keep Chelsea’s attacking threat while also shoring things up at the back.
“We want to be more competitive, to be as good or even better in attack because I think there is room for improvement and to have the balance, to feel solid as well and to feel strong in defence,” he told reporters on Friday.
“We want not to concede that many goals and that's the work of everyone, from the strikers to the goalkeeper.”
Chelsea actually had less of the ball than both Fulham and Brighton in their first two league games, but still found a way to win both. That run ended last weekend with a defeat to reigning champions Arsenal.
Alonso said he wants his team to be flexible and adjust to whatever each match demands, because no two games are the same.
“We are still in the early days to know what this team for sure is going to be,” he said.
“I think that we will develop many things, we will develop with players, important players, they are joining and they are able to play.”
The ex-Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss expects a difficult game against Hull, who arrive at Stamford Bridge on Saturday full of confidence.
“They (have) seven points, no goals conceded, they will be hard to beat, they have their weapons as well," he said.
“With transitions, set-pieces, they have the belief, the coach is doing a great job.”
Hosting the Tigers on Saturday. 👊 pic.twitter.com/l8hdOwr9DQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 11, 2026
Chelsea confirmed on Friday that 26-year-old Portugal winger Pedro Neto has put pen to paper on a new contract running until 2032.
“It's an unbelievable moment,” said the winger, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2024. "From when I arrived, I have always felt like the people here helped me a lot.
“I feel like home here, I feel like I want to achieve more things here.”
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