What Xabi Alonso told Malo Gusto moments before Chelsea conceded first goal against Hull

It’s time to talk about our midfield situation… who’s getting your vote?

If Alonso and Chelsea want to achieve anything this season, then it will rely on the Blues sharpening defensively. Over the years, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have had success because they are solid.

But it is not as if Alonso has got his tactics wrong. It is quite clear that he is informing his players to play in a certain way, but mistakes are being made. Take Malo Gusto’s positioning on Saturday afternoon.

Alonso’s instructions go ignored and Hull City profit

According to Football London, Alonso had instructed right-back Gusto to be more advanced in his positioning, more front-foot with his defending. But he was on the byline for Hull City’s first goal.

Ryan Giles outmuscled the Frenchman with ease and got a cross in, which bamboozled Jorrel Hato and led to Mohamed Belloumi’s first goal. Paul Merson hammered Hato for his defensive mistake yesterday.

Austin MacPhee had also advised Gusto that he was too deep defensively, but he had failed to make the change before Hull’s first goal went in. For Alonso, it must be incredibly frustrating on the touchline.

Xabi Alonso needs his injured players to return quickly

A lot has been made of Moises Caicedo’s injury and the need for the Ecuadorian to return quickly. Many believe the former Brighton star’s presence in the side will help shore up the leak of goals at Chelsea.

But perhaps, just as important, is the need to get new signing Marco Palestra back to fitness. Chelsea fans saw just how attacking, and how high Palestra plays on the right flank. For both systems, Palestra is key.

Getting him back to full fitness will be important if Alonso is to finally get his Chelsea side playing in the way he wants them to play, rather than his instructions falling on deaf ears and Chelsea still conceding.

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