Chelsea show promise under Xabi Alonso despite old flaw

Chelsea’s first steps under Xabi Alonso suggested a team that could become one of the more entertaining sides in the division, even if familiar weaknesses remain impossible to ignore. The attacking signs were encouraging, the tempo was high and the front line looked capable of buying the new manager valuable time as his ideas take hold. But the unresolved issue in goal, and some uncertainty through midfield, still cast a shadow over the early optimism.

Bright attacking signs in Alonso’s first game

There was a sense that Chelsea needed to offer something convincing at the start of Alonso’s reign, particularly after other potential challengers had already exposed flaws of their own. They were not complete, but they were dangerous in the final third and at times looked sharp, direct and difficult to contain.

Cole Palmer was central to that threat, involved in all three Chelsea goals. The source suggests he may be benefiting from a first summer without major interruption in three years, and his influence was clear in the attacking combinations that gave Chelsea their edge.

João Pedro made an immediate impact, scoring after 31 seconds to equal the record for the quickest goal scored in the reign of a Premier League manager. His form had already been strong in pre-season, and his early contribution here underlined the sense of a forward beginning to play with confidence again.

The third goal offered perhaps the clearest glimpse of what Alonso will want. Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Palmer combined in one move, with Rogers flicking on, João Pedro holding the ball up and Palmer finishing smartly. It was a sequence that pointed to growing understanding in the new-look front three.

A clear stylistic break from Enzo Maresca

One of the most striking elements of Chelsea’s display was how different the approach looked from that of Enzo Maresca. Where Maresca’s football was built around control, Alonso’s version appears far more focused on transitions, quick regains and sudden attacks.

That brought excitement, but also a degree of chaos. Chelsea’s play was described as reckless at times, open and end-to-end rather than measured and secure. In the short term, that may be refreshing after the sterility associated with Maresca and the disorder of Liam Rosenior. Over a longer stretch, though, it raises questions about whether such an approach can deliver consistency.

For now, that may not matter as much as learning. At this stage of a new managerial cycle, performances and adaptation are likely to matter most. Still, results remain important if Chelsea are to stay close enough to the leading pack while Alonso’s principles become more deeply embedded.

Midfield and goalkeeping concerns remain

For all the promise in attack, Chelsea were less convincing elsewhere. The midfield pairing of Roméo Lavia and Reece James was an interesting experiment, particularly given that the two had never previously been used together in the centre despite being at the club for the same period.

It was not entirely a planned choice. Moisés Caicedo was absent as a precaution, while Enzo Fernández stayed on the bench until later on amid continued interest from Manchester City. Even allowing for those circumstances, the partnership did not fully convince, and there were extended periods when Fulham controlled the middle of the pitch.

Then there is the issue that has lingered for years: goalkeeper. The failure to replace Robert Sánchez is described in the source as a mystery, and this match did little to ease that concern. Fulham had openings late on, including one with Sánchez off his line and another from Ryan Sessegnon that went straight at the Chelsea keeper. Neither chance was taken, but the warning was obvious.

Encouragement, but no disguising the flaws

There were other positives. Josh Acheampong delivered an energetic display, while Maxence Lacroix’s involvement in the move for Rogers’ goal reflected Alonso’s demand for players to appear in unexpected areas. That tactical fluidity is part of what makes his system intriguing, even if it also requires time and commitment to master.

Chelsea, then, look like a side with genuine attacking potential and a manager willing to embrace risk. That should make them watchable, and perhaps dangerous. But if they are to become more than that, the old problems at the back — and especially in goal — will need solving.