Four league matches into the new season, Xabi Alonso has already made Chelsea one of the most fascinating teams in England. There have been goals, aggressive football, exciting combinations and clear signs of a new tactical identity.
There has also been chaos, defensive vulnerability and an inability to control matches for long enough. Seven points from the opening 12 available is respectable, but the performances suggest Chelsea are still some distance from becoming the finished product their new manager wants.
Alonso officially took over on July 1 after signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. The appointment followed his spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, with Chelsea highlighting his coaching quality, leadership and game model as major reasons for bringing him to London.
Four English Premier League matches later, there is already enough evidence to begin assessing the experiment. Chelsea have beaten Fulham 3-2 and Brighton 4-3, lost 2-1 away to Arsenal and drawn 2-2 with newly promoted Hull City.
That gives Alonso seven points from four matches, with 10 goals scored and nine conceded. The simple verdict? Football is exciting. The attack looks dangerous. The defensive structure remains a serious concern.
The First Four Premier League Matches at a Glance
Chelsea’s start has been almost impossible to ignore. The Alonso era began with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Chelsea followed that with an extraordinary 4-3 win against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Their perfect start ended with a 2-1 defeat to champions Arsenal before Hull frustrated them with a 2-2 draw in Matchweek 4. The numbers explain the story almost perfectly: 10 goals scored, nine conceded and no league clean sheet.
Fulham vs Chelsea: 2-3
Chelsea vs Brighton: 4-3
Arsenal vs Chelsea: 2-1
Chelsea vs Hull City: 2-2
For anyone following Premier League news, Chelsea have quickly become appointment viewing. They are capable of creating goals almost from nowhere, but they also appear capable of giving opponents opportunities without warning. That tension between attacking brilliance and defensive instability defines the opening month of the Alonso era.
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea: A Winning Start That Revealed Both Sides of Alonso’s Team
The first competitive match under Xabi Alonso could hardly have provided a better preview of what was coming. Chelsea scored after barely half a minute. João Pedro raced onto Cole Palmer’s pass and finished clinically, giving Alonso the dream beginning to his Premier League career.
Fulham responded through Josh King, but Morgan Rogers restored Chelsea’s lead before half-time. Palmer then made it 3-1 shortly after the restart before Gonzalo García pulled another goal back for Fulham.
Chelsea eventually survived to win 3-2. From an attacking perspective, there was plenty to celebrate. The front three of João Pedro, Palmer and Rogers showed immediate chemistry. They moved between central and wide positions, attacked space behind Fulham and regularly forced defenders to make difficult decisions.
All three scored, providing an early indication that Alonso may already have discovered the attacking core around which his team can be built.
Chelsea’s own website described the combination as an exciting new-look front three, while João Pedro spoke enthusiastically afterward about playing alongside Palmer and Rogers.
But the match also contained warning signs. Chelsea struggled to kill the contest after going two goals ahead. Fulham were allowed back into the game quickly and remained dangerous late on.
Winning away in a London derby should never be dismissed, particularly in the first competitive game under a new manager. Still, instead of enjoying a controlled final half-hour, Chelsea found themselves protecting a one-goal lead.
That would soon become a recurring theme. The attack looked immediately convincing. The game management did not.
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: Spectacular Football, Dangerous Chaos
If the Fulham game introduced the new Chelsea, the Brighton game turned the volume up.
Under Xabi Alonso, the Blues exploded into a 3-0 lead through Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and João Pedro. For a period, Chelsea looked almost unstoppable. Their movement was quick, the passing was incisive and Brighton were repeatedly caught before they could reorganise.
Then everything changed. Brighton scored before half-time and gradually dragged themselves back into the contest.
Chelsea eventually won 4-3, with Palmer’s second-half goal proving crucial, but the visitors had numerous opportunities and Chelsea finished with only 25.6% possession, according to Sky Sports, their lowest possession share on record in a Premier League match.
That statistic deserves attention.
Alonso is often associated with intelligent possession structures, central overloads and carefully constructed build-up. Yet his early Chelsea have demonstrated another side: they can attack extremely quickly when space appears.
That flexibility is positive. The concern is whether some of that directness is intentional or simply the consequence of matches becoming uncontrolled.
At 3-0, elite teams should normally reduce risk. They slow the opponent’s momentum, protect central areas and force the chasing team to take increasingly desperate chances.
Chelsea instead gave Brighton belief. The Guardian’s match report described the performance as chaotic despite the victory, which was an appropriate description of the afternoon.
For neutral viewers, it was outstanding entertainment. For Alonso, it was probably exhausting. Six points from six was excellent. Seven goals scored was even better. Conceding five goals in two games was considerably less encouraging.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: The First Serious Benchmark
The third league game represented the first major examination of Xabi Alonso against the reigning champions.
Chelsea could hardly have started better.
Morgan Rogers scored after just 77 seconds at the Emirates Stadium, continuing his sensational introduction to life in blue. But Arsenal responded through former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz before Martin Ødegaard completed the comeback early in the second half.
Arsenal won 2-1 and maintained their perfect start.
There was no shame in losing narrowly away to arguably the strongest team in the division. In fact, Chelsea demonstrated enough quality to suggest that they can compete with the best.
However, the defeat was important because Arsenal exposed something Fulham and Brighton had already hinted at: Chelsea’s aggressive style leaves very little margin for defensive mistakes.
Against weaker opposition, conceding two goals might still leave enough time and space to score three or four. Against champions, the equation changes.
Arsenal were more controlled. They absorbed Chelsea’s fast start and gradually imposed themselves. Chelsea had moments. Arsenal controlled more of the contest.
Afterwards Alonso said the defeat needed to hurt his players “in a positive way”, framing it as part of Chelsea’s development rather than a reason for panic.
That was a sensible response. The defeat itself was not particularly alarming. The more relevant question was whether Chelsea would respond by becoming more disciplined.
Matchweek 4 provided the answer. Not yet. Competitive performance, difficult opponent, but another two goals conceded.
Chelsea 2-2 Hull City: The First Truly Disappointing Result
The Hull match is where the early evaluation of Xabi Alonso becomes more critical. After losing at Arsenal, Chelsea returned to Stamford Bridge to face a newly promoted side. Hull had started impressively, but this was still the type of home fixture Chelsea would expect to win if they genuinely intend to challenge near the top of the table.
Again, they started superbly. Morgan Rogers scored after seven minutes from João Pedro’s assist. And again, Chelsea lost control. Mohamed Belloumi equalised before putting Hull ahead.
João Pedro eventually rescued Chelsea with a second-half equaliser after excellent work from Palmer, but there was no winner. Chelsea had to settle for a 2-2 draw. The worrying part was not simply the score. Hull created genuine problems. Chelsea’s defending was soft and individual errors again contributed to goals.
The Guardian reported that Chelsea generated only 0.89 expected goals despite playing at home, while Alonso himself criticised his side’s lack of control.
Afterwards, the manager essentially acknowledged that Chelsea had received what they deserved.
That matters. One bad result happens. What makes Hull significant is that the same weakness appeared for a fourth consecutive league game. Chelsea can dominate for 15 or 20 minutes.
They can create devastating attacking sequences.
They can score quickly.
But they are struggling to control the remaining 70 minutes.
That is the biggest challenge Alonso must solve.
A home draw against an impressive Hull side is not disastrous, but dropping two points after taking another early lead represents a missed opportunity.
The Tactical Identity Is Already Visible
Four matches is far too early to judge an entire managerial project, but it is not too early to identify patterns.
One of the biggest positives about Xabi Alonso is that his ideas are already visible.
Chelsea have frequently operated from a three-defender base, with wing-backs providing width and two attacking midfielders playing behind the striker. Against Fulham, Alonso selected Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill as his defensive three, with Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato occupying the wider roles.
The structure resembles elements of Xabi Alonso‘s successful Bayer Leverkusen system.
The purpose is not simply to play “three at the back.”
The additional defender should provide security during build-up, allowing the wing-backs to push higher. In midfield, Chelsea can create numerical advantages before accelerating forward when Palmer, Rogers or João Pedro receive possession between the lines.
There are already moments where it works beautifully.
Chelsea can progress from defence to attack in seconds. Their attacking players interchange positions rather than remaining attached to specific zones.
When Palmer drops deeper, Rogers can run beyond him.
When João Pedro moves away from the central striker position, another player attacks the space he creates.
The result is an attacking structure that is difficult to mark.
This is the most encouraging part of Alonso’s first month: Chelsea do not look like a team without ideas.
The issue is executing those ideas consistently.
Chelsea’s New Attack Could Become One of the League’s Best
If there is one department where Xabi Alonso deserves significant credit, it is the attack.
Ten goals across the opening four league games is excellent.
More importantly, the goals are not coming from one individual.
Morgan Rogers has started spectacularly. João Pedro looks perfectly suited to the fluid striker role. Palmer remains Chelsea’s creative reference point.
The three complement each other.
João Pedro can operate as a traditional No. 9 when necessary, but he is equally comfortable dropping deeper, receiving possession and bringing others into play.
Palmer wants the ball between the lines.
Rogers provides something different: power, direct running and the ability to attack spaces without possession.
Against Fulham, all three scored.
Against Hull, João Pedro assisted Rogers before scoring the equaliser himself from Palmer’s delivery.
Rogers’ productivity has been particularly remarkable. After four league appearances, he had contributed a goal or assist in every match and scored against Fulham, Arsenal and Hull.
That attacking unit gives Chelsea a foundation capable of causing problems against virtually any opponent in the English Premier League.
And there is still additional depth.
Estêvão, Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda and other attacking options give Alonso different profiles depending on the match.
The challenge will be keeping everyone involved while maintaining continuity.
At the moment, though, Chelsea’s front line is the strongest argument for optimism.
Morgan Rogers Already Looks Like an Alonso Player
One of the quickest indicators of whether a transfer works is how naturally the player appears to understand his manager’s football.
Morgan Rogers already looks remarkably comfortable under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea invested heavily to bring him from Aston Villa, and expectations were inevitably enormous. Instead of taking months to adjust, Rogers immediately became central to the attacking structure.
What makes him particularly useful is his versatility.
He can receive possession between midfield and defence, carry the ball through pressure or make aggressive runs behind defenders. That allows Alonso to alter the attacking shape without making substitutions.
If Palmer moves centrally, Rogers can occupy the left half-space.
If João Pedro drops deeper, Rogers can attack the penalty area.
If Chelsea need to transition quickly, he has the athleticism to carry the ball over large distances.
This is especially important in a system that depends on movement.
Alonso does not appear to want three forwards waiting in predetermined positions. He wants players capable of recognising spaces and exchanging responsibilities.
Rogers fits that requirement extremely well.
His early output has made him one of the biggest successes of Chelsea’s opening month.
Cole Palmer Has More Freedom, and More Help
There were periods in previous seasons when opponents could reduce Chelsea’s attacking threat by restricting Palmer.
That looks more difficult now.
One of the smartest early decisions by Xabi Alonso has been surrounding his most creative player with other genuine threats.
If a defender follows Palmer, space can appear for Rogers.
If an opponent commits midfielders toward Palmer’s side, João Pedro can receive centrally.
That changes the defensive calculation.
Palmer no longer needs to create everything himself.
It may also explain why Chelsea have looked so dangerous immediately after regaining possession. There are several players capable of making the first pass, carrying the ball or finishing the move.
For Chelsea fans, this should be one of the most encouraging developments.
The best version of Palmer does not require him to touch the ball 100 times every match. It requires Chelsea to create situations where his decision-making becomes decisive.
When he receives possession close to the penalty area with runners ahead of him, few players are more dangerous.
Alonso appears to understand that.
The Midfield Remains a Work in Progress
Chelsea’s attack has established itself quickly. The midfield has been more complicated.
Under Xabi Alonso, the two central midfielders have enormous responsibilities.
They must help Chelsea progress the ball, provide passing options behind the attack and protect the defence whenever possession is lost.
That is difficult even with a settled pairing.
Chelsea have not always had that luxury.
Moises Caicedo missed the opening game, and Xabi Alonso has experimented with combinations involving Romeo Lavia, Reece James and others.
The absence of complete midfield stability partly explains why matches have become stretched.
When Chelsea’s counter-press works, opponents are suffocated.
When the first press is broken, the defenders can suddenly find themselves exposed to large spaces.
That is where control must improve.
Alonso’s best Leverkusen teams were not successful simply because they attacked well. They were excellent at managing territory and sustaining pressure.
Chelsea have shown glimpses of the first quality without consistently demonstrating the second.
The return and availability of Caicedo could become hugely important.
Chelsea need somebody capable of recognising when to accelerate the game and when to slow it down.
Football cannot always be played at maximum speed.
Sometimes controlling a match requires deliberately making it boring.
Nine Goals Conceded Is the Major Warning Sign
Here is where the grade for Xabi Alonso drops considerably.
Chelsea have conceded nine goals in four league matches.
Fulham scored twice.
Brighton scored three.
Arsenal scored twice.
Hull scored twice.
There has not been a single Premier League clean sheet.
Worse, the Hull draw extended Chelsea’s wider league run without a clean sheet to 20 matches. The sequence began before Alonso’s appointment, so it cannot simply be blamed on the new manager, but his first four league matches have not yet stopped the trend.
Chelsea’s summer recruitment was extensive, including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and centre-back Maxence Lacroix among numerous additions.
That means expectations are understandably higher.
The problem is not simply “bad defenders.”
Chelsea’s defensive difficulties appear structural as well as individual.
Players are sometimes caught too far apart. Wing-backs can leave space behind them. The central midfield can be bypassed. Individual mistakes then become much more expensive because there is insufficient protection behind the initial error.
This is why Xabi Alonso‘s next stage must involve improving Chelsea’s rest defence, and the positioning of players when the team is attacking so they can immediately defend a turnover.
Right now, Chelsea often look dangerous when attacking.
Unfortunately, they occasionally look dangerous to themselves too.
That is comfortably the weakest area after four weeks.
Alonso’s Game Management Needs to Improve
Another area worth monitoring is match control.
Under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea have produced some outstanding periods of football.
The problem is how short some of those periods have been.
They scored immediately at Fulham.
They raced three goals ahead against Brighton.
They scored within two minutes at Arsenal.
They led Hull after seven minutes.
Chelsea are repeatedly starting matches brilliantly.
That indicates good preparation.
Players appear to understand the attacking plan from kick-off, and opponents initially struggle with Chelsea’s movement.
What happens afterwards is more concerning.
Once the opposition adjusts, Chelsea have not always responded effectively.
This is partly a player issue. Concentration, decision-making and defensive awareness cannot all be coached from the touchline.
But it is also a managerial challenge.
When Chelsea lead 3-0 against Brighton, should the midfield become more compact?
When Arsenal begin controlling central areas, should the structure change?
When Hull recover from Chelsea’s opening spell, how quickly should Alonso intervene?
These decisions will become increasingly important as the season develops.
Elite management is not only about constructing a brilliant Plan A.
It is also about recognising the moment when Plan A needs adjusting.
The Summer Recruitment Has Increased Expectations
Another reason Xabi Alonso will be judged aggressively is the squad at his disposal.
Chelsea’s summer business included Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Emiliano Martínez, Marco Palestra, Valentín Barco, Geovany Quenda, Danny Welbeck and several other additions.
This is not a manager being asked to squeeze results from a thin squad.
Chelsea have options.
That creates opportunities, but also complications.
Managing such a large group requires clarity.
Xabi Alonso must determine who belongs in his strongest XI, who should rotate and which players genuinely suit his system.
This is especially important for younger attackers who may suddenly find minutes difficult to obtain.
The early front three have established themselves quickly. That is excellent for results but creates a challenge for players waiting behind them.
Alonso therefore has two jobs simultaneously.
He must build a winning team while building a sustainable squad hierarchy.
Four weeks is nowhere near enough time to complete that process.
But the decisions made during the next two months could shape Chelsea’s season.
Chelsea Finally Look Dangerous Again
Results matter most, but supporters also want to understand where their team is going.
That is perhaps where Xabi Alonso has made his strongest early impression.
There is direction.
Chelsea attack with intent.
There is movement between the lines.
There are runners beyond the striker.
There is willingness to play forward quickly instead of circulating possession endlessly without threatening the opposition.
Even the mistakes feel connected to an aggressive tactical idea rather than complete confusion.
That distinction matters.
Many transitional teams struggle because nobody understands what the coach wants.
Chelsea appear to understand.
They simply cannot execute it for 90 minutes yet.
That is a much more solvable problem.
For Chelsea fans, the opening month should therefore produce cautious optimism rather than either extreme excitement or panic.
The foundations of something interesting are visible.
The defensive structure needs urgent work.
Both statements can be true simultaneously.
Wrapping Up
Four games are enough to identify a direction but nowhere near enough to determine a destination.
That distinction is important when assessing Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea already look different.
They are quicker.
More direct.
More fluid around the penalty area.
Their best attacking sequences look capable of troubling any defence in the division.
But their worst defensive sequences are capable of giving almost any opponent hope.
That contradiction is why the next few weeks are so important.
If Alonso can preserve the attacking freedom while building a more reliable defensive platform, Chelsea could develop into one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
If every game continues becoming an exchange of chances, the Blues may produce plenty of spectacular afternoons without acquiring the consistency required for a title challenge.
The foundation is encouraging.
The attacking ceiling looks extremely high.
The defensive floor remains alarmingly low.
After Matchweek 4, Alonso’s Chelsea are not yet a finished contender.
But they are unquestionably a team worth watching.
And perhaps that is the most important conclusion from the opening month: supporters can already see what Alonso is trying to build.
Now he has to make it reliable.
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Image Credit: GettyImages
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