Glaring weakness in goal remains but early signs Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea should be fun | Jonathan Wilson
Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-1 win over Fulham, offering early glimpses of an attacking side that could challenge for the Premier League title, even as long-standing problems in goal and midfield persisted. João Pedro scored after just 31 seconds, matching the record for the quickest goal by a Premier League manager on debut, before Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers added further goals, with Palmer involved in all three. The result matters because it suggests Alonso's transition-based, high-risk approach, a stark contrast to Enzo Maresca's more controlled style, could make Chelsea an entertaining watch, though its defensive fragility raises questions about consistency over a full season.
Palmer was involved in all three goals after a rare summer off, while Josh Acheampong impressed defensively despite Chelsea being outplayed through midfield for long spells. Alonso paired Roméo Lavia and Reece James centrally for the first time, with Moisés Caicedo rested and Enzo Fernández, subject of interest from Manchester City, introduced only after 65 minutes. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez remains an unresolved weakness, having twice been exposed late on without being made to pay, and the club's failure to sign a replacement continues to be a notable gap in an otherwise heavily reshaped squad.
- Chelsea beat Fulham 3-1 in Xabi Alonso's first game as manager.
- João Pedro scored after 31 seconds, matching a Premier League managerial-debut record.
- Attack looked sharp, but goalkeeping and midfield remain concerns.
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Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as head coach, taking over from Enzo Maresca and beginning a new chapter for the club after a period of transition under previous managers. Alonso, who built a strong reputation managing Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, is known for an attacking, high-risk style built around quick transitions, which contrasts with the more cautious, possession-based approach favoured by Maresca.
The club has also spent heavily to reshape its squad in recent seasons, with young attacking talents such as Cole Palmer and João Pedro central to its hopes, while long-running issues remain unresolved, notably in goal, where Robert Sánchez has been a persistent source of concern, and in midfield, an area still being reorganised. How Alonso balances an entertaining, attacking approach against these defensive and structural weaknesses is likely to shape Chelsea's season and their prospects of competing for major honours, including the Premier League title.
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