{"id":5850,"date":"2026-09-23T15:09:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T15:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5850"},"modified":"2026-09-23T15:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T15:09:39","slug":"graeme-souness-knows-what-is-going-wrong-at-chelsea-under-xabi-alonso-and-hes-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5850","title":{"rendered":"Graeme Souness knows what is going wrong at Chelsea under Xabi Alonso, and he’s right"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea made a brilliant start to life under Xabi Alonso, but they enter the international break in disarray after a 3-0 defeat at Brentford. Graeme Souness thinks he has the answer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Alonso\u2019s<\/a> early start has tailed off, Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> issues have remained throughout all seven games in all competitions this season. They cannot stop conceding goals, already letting 15 fly past them this term.<\/p>\n

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Indeed, it is now 21 Premier League games since they kept a clean sheet. Alonso has become just one of six managers<\/a> to concede two or more goals in each of his first five Premier League games as a manager.<\/p>\n

Graeme Souness knows who is to blame at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

So who is at fault? Jamie Carragher doesn\u2019t believe Emi Martinez is the goalkeeper he once was<\/a>, while Chelsea\u2019s defenders have come under increasing criticism. Paul Merson blasted Jorrel Hato as \u201cterrible\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But on his new YouTube<\/a> channel, Graeme Souness<\/a> claimed he thinks Chelsea\u2019s midfield is to blame. The Blues have faced more shots than any other team, and he thinks the midfield are being overrun too easily.<\/p>\n

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How would you rate Xabi Alonso’s first weeks at Stamford Bridge?<\/h3>\n

What has worked, and what needs improving? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cThere was a stat on Sky yesterday that Chelsea are 20th out of 20 football clubs to have had more shots on their goal than anyone else. Now, that\u2019s not your back four. That\u2019s the midfield and those in front.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot making life difficult for the opposition when they have the ball. They\u2019re getting up the park too easily against them; they\u2019re getting shots off against them too easily. That comes down to your midfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played in a team; we had fabulous players, world-class. My priority wasn\u2019t to come up with a cute pass, or score. It was to protect the guys behind me. Chelsea fall into that category. They\u2019re a bit gung-ho.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Souness is right, Moises Caicedo\u2019s return to the side is key<\/h2>\n

Chelsea need more protection in midfield, more energy. It won\u2019t stop the defensive mistakes, but it will finally provide the Blues defence with some cover. Moises Caicedo\u2019s return to the first team aids that.<\/p>\n

The Ecuadorian has managed one outing this season, coming on as a substitute against Brighton. But 14 minutes after coming on in the 68th minute against his old club, he was subbed off again on 82 minutes.<\/p>\n

Caicedo has not travelled with Ecuador and new manager Marcelo Gallardo this week, as he focuses on returning to full fitness. He is expected to be available against Bournemouth after the international break.<\/p>\n

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