According to the Daily Telegraph, FC Chelsea conceded a goal in 18 of their last 19 league matches, with only one clean sheet. Alonso must resolve the team's defensive issues as soon as possible.

Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Ipswich are teams Chelsea would not want to be compared with this season, but their defensive statistics are similar to Alonso's team.

Chelsea conceding seven goals in three Premier League matches suggests Alonso is still struggling to find the right balance between attack and defence. The team has kept only one clean sheet in 19 league matches since last season, indicating there may still be squad issues.

Centre-back Lacroix joined from Crystal Palace for £52 million this summer, and early performances suggest he could prove to be a successful signing, while goalkeeper Damian Martinez has replaced Robert Sánchez.

However, Chelsea conceded 52 goals last season, and it remains to be seen whether the team has made sufficient adjustments in defence and midfield ahead of the back line.

Alonso, Chelsea's manager, said: "My primary objective is to win matches, and winning typically makes it easier when you don't concede too many goals. This is definitely something we need to address. We want to improve, defend more compactly, convert chances more decisively, and be more balanced in attack and defence. But that takes time as well."

Wesley Fofana was partly responsible for Ødegaard's winning goal against Arsenal on Sunday, and his current lapses in concentration remain a problem. The talented 20-year-old Josh Acheampong is still gaining experience, and Colwill needs time to regain fitness after missing most of last season through injury.

Martinez should have done better than Sánchez, but he will likely be disappointed that Havertz's shot went in at the near post. This is the type of goal Sánchez would have been criticised for, and Martinez knows Chelsea conceded five goals in two league matches after Sánchez was dropped from the squad.

Moises Caicedo has played only 14 minutes as a substitute this season due to injury, and Chelsea failed to replace Enzo Fernández with Monaco's Lamine Camara before the transfer window closed, leaving the team lacking defensive cover in midfield.

Alonso needs Caicedo back quickly, but he also cannot risk a prolonged absence by rushing the Ecuadorian player back in the first half of the season. Previously against Brighton, Caicedo had to be substituted shortly after coming on.

Alonso said: "The key is managing the risks. We may have brought him back too soon last week, and I don't want to make the same mistake again."

Colwill sat out the entire match against Arsenal due to a minor physical issue. Alonso added: "It's easy to talk about missing players after a defeat, but I won't do that. I'm happy with the players I have. Of course, you have to deal with injuries. Of course, Mikel Arteta has to deal with injuries too. All managers have to deal with bans and injuries. It's impossible to have every player available for every match. But we need Caicedo and Colwill because they are top players. With them, we will be a better team."

Alonso once said that captain Reece James could become one of the world's best midfielders, but like Fofana, he was also caught out defensively when Ødegaard scored. So far, he has not shown the same defensive instinct as Rice.

Morgan Rogers' early volley was the only goal Arsenal conceded this season; Manchester City has conceded only two. These are the teams Chelsea wants to catch up with, not promoted Ipswich or Crystal Palace, who currently have conceded only more goals than Alonso's team. Fulham has also conceded seven goals.

With Colwill absent, Alonso attempted a back four against Arsenal with Josh Acheampong as right-back. But Chelsea's defensive problems seem to have little to do with formation and more to do with the mentality of the players and the team.

Arsenal's new signings may prove more impactful than Chelsea's.

Chelsea has more attacking options than Arsenal this season with Morgan Rogers, forming a strong trio with João Félix and Cole Palmer. However, early Premier League performances suggest Arsenal's signings of Gonçalo Inácio and João Gomes could have a greater impact on their already strong defence and midfield.

Inácio's crucial last-minute tackle against Morgan Rogers sparked wild celebrations among Arsenal fans. Arteta, meanwhile, kept João Gomes on the bench, waiting for him to return to full fitness, while he brought on midfielder Martín Zubimendi to help the team secure a 2-1 victory.

In contrast, Romeo Lavia's fitness faded in the 60th minute, and Chelsea then moved right-back Gusto into midfield, an adjustment that inspired no confidence.

If Chelsea want to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City, they must leave the defensive statistics of Ipswich, Crystal Palace, and Fulham far behind.

Übersetzt von KI.

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