{"id":2121,"date":"2026-08-25T06:39:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T06:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2121"},"modified":"2026-08-25T06:39:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T06:39:02","slug":"one-stat-proves-xabi-alonso-has-completely-transformed-chelsea-after-just-one-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=2121","title":{"rendered":"One stat proves Xabi Alonso has completely transformed Chelsea after just one match"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso got off to the perfect start as Chelsea manager following his side\u2019s 3-2 win against Fulham on Monday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and summer signing Morgan Rogers all scored to secure the three points for Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Palmer put in a 10\/10 display<\/a> and will have delighted his manager with his performance. However, that is not the only thing that Alonso<\/a> would have been pleased with.<\/p>\n

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CHELSEA WIN: Xabi Alonso gets the win, but who impressed you most? \ud83d\udcc8<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Last season, Chelsea were heavily criticised for constantly being outrun in games. As per FotMob<\/a>, they had the lowest average for distance covered in the Premier League<\/a> (109.7 km).<\/p>\n

However, against Fulham, they ran 120.1 km<\/a>. Only their west London rivals covered more ground (121.1 km) in the Premier League\u2019s opening weekend.<\/p>\n

It is early days, but based on that, Alonso looks to have completely transformed this Chelsea side after just one match in charge!<\/p>\n

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Evidently, Chelsea ran a lot at Craven Cottage. Surprisingly, the hosts actually had more possession than Alonso\u2019s team, but when the latter did have the ball, they were so dangerous with it.<\/p>\n

Going forward, the three goalscorers, Palmer, Rogers and Pedro, were magnificent. After the game, Gary Neville had a lot of praise for Chelsea\u2019s attack<\/a>, claiming that it was one of the best things to come from the first round of Premier League fixtures.<\/p>\n

The Blues play Luton Town next in the Carabao Cup<\/a>, and you would expect Palmer, Rogers and Pedro to get a rest. After that, they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, and supporters will be hoping to see Alonso unleash the trio in that game.<\/p>\n

There has been talk about Chelsea now potentially challenging Arsenal for the title, but they have a lot of work to do defensively if that is to happen. Robert Sanchez was a calamity in goal on Monday, while Levi Colwill was a bit shaky at times.<\/p>\n

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