{"id":4435,"date":"2026-09-13T10:34:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T10:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4435"},"modified":"2026-09-13T10:34:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T10:34:03","slug":"dont-worry-chelsea-fans-xabi-alonsos-first-six-games-at-leverkusen-were-even-worse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4435","title":{"rendered":"Don&#8217;t worry Chelsea fans, Xabi Alonso&#8217;s first six games at Leverkusen were even worse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-385042\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow is-native contentpass\"> <a class=\"fw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thechelseachronicle.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The 2-2 draw against Hull City has left Chelsea fans wondering, is Xabi Alonso\u2019s defence good enough to secure a Champions League spot? After six games, Chelsea have conceded 12 goals.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Just one clean sheet has come the way of <a href=\"http:\/\/thechelseachronicle\/club\/manager\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Alonso\u2019s<\/a> men so far, and that was against League One side Luton Town in the Carabao Cup. <a href=\"http:\/\/thechelseachronicle.com\/club\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Chelsea<\/a> have now gone 20 Premier League games without a clean sheet.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"cdd2ca74-f89a-41cd-8de8-8b13e1b175f0\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">It\u2019s time to talk about our midfield situation\u2026 who\u2019s getting your vote?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Split image with four players, which includes: Bruno Guimaraes, Lamine Camara, Alex Scott and Manu Kone\" class=\"wp-image-385037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/split-of-four-graphic.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Credit: Getty Images\">Credit: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>It is becoming a chronic problem; the worst it\u2019s been for 65 years. In all four Premier League games this season, Chelsea have conceded at least two; it could have been worse <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/match-coverage\/hull-city-boss-sergej-jakirovic-hails-chelsea-star-as-player-of-the-match-after-2-2-draw\/\">had it not been for Emi Martinez.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>So, do Chelsea have what it takes to finish in the top four? Going forward, yes. The trio of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro are the best in the league. But in defence? Well, there\u2019s no need to panic.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-xabi-alonso-s-first-six-games-as-bayer-leverkusen-manager\">Xabi Alonso\u2019s first six games as Bayer Leverkusen manager<\/h2>\n<p>When Alonso took over as Leverkusen manager back in October 2022, he got off to the perfect start with a 4-0 win over Schalke. But Alonso would then go winless for the next six matches, losing three times.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach - Bundesliga\" class=\"wp-image-384390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-1256928368-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 21: head coach Xabier Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach at BayArena on May 21, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Brauer\/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)\">Photo by Stefan Brauer\/DeFodi Images via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In his first six games, Alonso watched Leverkusen concede 14 goals and keep just one clean sheet. It saw Leverkusen lose 3-0 to Porto, 5-1 to Frankfurt, and two 2-2 draws against Wolfsburg and Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n<p>A 2-0 loss to Leipzig followed, before Alonso finally secured a second clean sheet at the seventh time of asking \u2013 a 0-0 draw with Brugge \u2013 before his side would go and annihilate Union Berlin with a 5-0 win.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-alonso-s-first-six-games-as-chelsea-manager-are-actually-better\">Alonso\u2019s first six games as Chelsea manager are actually better<\/h2>\n<p>While Chelsea might have only secured one clean sheet and conceded 12 goals in the five other games under Alonso, it\u2019s a whole lot better than his first few weeks as Leverkusen manager. Four wins so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"705\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-1024x705.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea v Leeds United - Carabao Cup Third Round\" class=\"wp-image-384645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-1024x705.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-768x529.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-1536x1058.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-1140x785.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2294385704-1-750x517.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Xabi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on September 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)\">Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Alonso only won one of his first eight games as Leverkusen boss, to the extent that there were worries he would be sacked. Thankfully for Leverkusen, they stuck with Alonso and gave him the time to shine.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-fans-do-not-need-to-panic-let-alonso-work-it-out\">Chelsea fans do not need to panic; let Alonso work it out<\/h2>\n<p>He got it right eventually at Leverkusen and of course, the next season \u2013 his first full campaign in charge of Leverkusen \u2013 resulted in an unbeaten league campaign, the Bundesliga title, and a Europa League final.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"4930974d-db29-405d-bd34-ca3e3c51a571\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea vs Hull\" data-comment-id=\"192a3740-b99d-4b49-a346-9a67f64f19b5\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-vs-hull\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Dropped points against Hull\u2026 Does Xabi Alonso need to make some serious changes?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Who would you drop from today&#8217;s XI?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-819x1024.png\" alt=\"A graphic showing Chelsea's player ratings against Hull City following their Premier League game on 12\/09\/2026.\" class=\"wp-image-384862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/09\/player-ratings.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Obviously, he isn\u2019t going to achieve that this season; Chelsea have already lost to Arsenal. But the goals flying past Emi Martinez will soon dry up, while Chelsea\u2019s quality in attack will remain the same.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-need-to-be-extra-careful-after-moises-caicedo-injury-update\/\">The return of Moises Caicedo<\/a> will play a huge role in that, as will Jordan Henderson\u2019s presence in the matchday squad. This Chelsea side is primed and ready; Alonso\u2019s history proves it\u2019s only a matter of time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/analysis\/dont-worry-chelsea-fans-xabi-alonsos-first-six-games-at-leverkusen-were-even-worse\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow is-native contentpass\"> <a class=\"fw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thechelseachronicle.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")[0].appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Don&#8217;t worry Chelsea fans, Xabi Alonso&#8217;s first six games at Leverkusen were even worse',content_category:'Analysis',content_ids:[385042,\"xabi-alonso\"],content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/analysis\/dont-worry-chelsea-fans-xabi-alonsos-first-six-games-at-leverkusen-were-even-worse\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add to Preferred Sources The 2-2 draw against Hull City has left Chelsea fans wondering,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4435\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}