Chelsea Have a New Problem — and Alonso Knows It

Chelsea may have started the Xabi Alonso era with a victory, but the 3-2 win over Fulham exposed a problem the new manager cannot ignore.

The Blues looked dangerous going forward, yet their defence repeatedly gave Fulham opportunities to get back into the game.

For a manager taking charge of a club with ambitions of returning to the top of English football, that will be a major concern.

Chelsea’s attack is already frightening

The positive side of the performance was obvious.

Joao Pedro scored after just 31 seconds, Cole Palmer found the net and Morgan Rogers marked his competitive debut with a goal.

That attacking combination gave Chelsea supporters plenty to celebrate.

Palmer’s creativity was particularly important, while Joao Pedro constantly threatened the Fulham defence.

But the defence kept wobbling

Chelsea’s three goals should have made the match comfortable.

Instead, Fulham stayed in the contest until the final whistle.

The home side found spaces behind Chelsea’s defensive line and repeatedly tested the visitors.

Alonso will know that stronger opponents will punish those mistakes.

Robert Sanchez under pressure again

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez also attracted attention during the match.

Chelsea supporters have questioned his consistency in the past, and another uncertain performance could reopen that debate.

Alonso now has to decide whether Sanchez remains his first-choice goalkeeper or whether another option deserves an opportunity.

Alonso wants control

The new Chelsea manager is known for demanding tactical discipline from his teams.

Chelsea’s attacking freedom is exciting, but Alonso will want his players to control matches rather than turn every game into a shootout.

That balance could determine how successful his first season becomes.

The good news for Chelsea

Chelsea have something extremely valuable: attacking quality.

Palmer, Pedro and Rogers give Alonso several ways to hurt opponents.

If the manager can tighten the defence without taking away that attacking freedom, Chelsea could become a very different team from the one supporters watched last season.

The Fulham victory was entertaining.

But Alonso knows Chelsea must become harder to beat if the club are serious about competing at the top.

The warning has already arrived in the first match.