Paul Merson couldn’t believe what Chelsea player did against Hull City, it was ‘terrible’
The frustration was painted on Xabi Alonso’s face at full-time as Chelsea failed to keep a clean sheet or beat newly-promoted Hull City – and Paul Merson has laid into one of Alonso’s starting players.
A 20th Premier League match without a clean sheet, Chelsea’s run is now the worst it has been in 65 years. Since Alonso took charge, Chelsea have scored a huge 18 goals, but conceded 12 in six games.
Dropped points against Hull… Does Xabi Alonso need to make some serious changes?
Who would you drop from today’s XI?
Obviously, that kind of form is not sustainable, and if Chelsea are to have any kind of success during Alonso’s first season, it is a problem that has got to be sorted out. Especially after the money spent.
Mohamed Belloumi was the man to profit from Chelsea’s lapses in concentration at the back on Saturday. Two more goals conceded, with Chelsea conceding at least two in every Premier League match so far.
Paul Merson hammers Jorrel Hato after ‘terrible’ mistake
Initially, Chelsea fail to stop the cross. It is a soft bit of defending out wide, but Hato’s mistake is simply not the level that is required in the Premier League. He goes to the ball, and is beaten by the bounce.
Belloumi takes full advantage, lashing it into the bottom corner past Emi Martinez – who reacts surprised, as if he was sitting in the stands with the rest of the Chelsea support, expecting Hato to simply clear it.
On Sky Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s games, Paul Merson hammered Netherlands star Hato: “Terrible defending. You could not believe what Hato has done. It is a slight handball by Giles, you can’t see it.
“He loops it into the box. As it bounces, Hato goes to the ball, then comes back and it goes over his head. You’re talking about a Premier League footballer, he’s got to know, he’s got to read it,” Merson said.
Xabi Alonso explains decision to take Hato off at half-time
In defence of Hato, it wasn’t just him. Hull were the better side, they created better chances; it shocked Chelsea. Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer all got goals and assists, but Hull were better.
Defensively, Chelsea are all over the place. It is quite clear that Alonso doesn’t know his back three yet, and that must change. It was proven by Alonso taking Hato off at half-time, replaced by Pep Chavarria.
Asked why he took Hato off, Alonso said: “Tactical,” before being asked for the reason: “We wanted a player with another profile, that with Pep [Chavarria] and Jorrel, it’s different and that was the decision.”
Alonso has plenty of work to do. Along with the rest of his coaches, Chelsea need to work out what is the best back three available to them and stick with it, trust them and allow them to grow some chemistry.
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