Chelsea’s frontline steal the show as Xabi Alonso era begins with Fulham win
Chelsea began the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League’s matchweek one, with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers combining brilliantly as the Blues showcased the attacking philosophy of their new head coach.
Pedro, Rogers and Palmer all found the net, with Palmer also providing the assist for Chelsea’s opener inside 32 seconds.
The front three’s fluid movement and combinations repeatedly exposed Fulham, although Chelsea’s aggressive defensive structure also left them vulnerable at the other end.
Despite taking all three points, Alonso will know there is plenty to improve defensively after Fulham scored twice and created opportunities against Chelsea’s high line.
Palmer, Pedro and Rogers click immediately
The most encouraging aspect of Chelsea’s performance was the chemistry between their new-look attacking trio.
Palmer looked back to his best after an injury-disrupted previous campaign, scoring Chelsea’s third and creating Joao Pedro’s opener.
Rogers, meanwhile, marked his competitive debut with a goal after arriving as Chelsea’s record signing.
The trio continually rotated positions and combined between the lines rather than remaining fixed to their starting positions.
Their interchangeability gives Alonso an attacking platform capable of stretching defences in multiple ways.
Chelsea finished with 18 shots, six on target and 17 chances created, underlining the volume of attacking opportunities generated during an entertaining London derby.
Alonso’s attacking philosophy already evident
Alonso’s 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 structure was evident from the outset, continuing the system he increasingly favoured during pre-season.
The Spaniard wants his team to press aggressively, attack quickly and create numerical advantages in advanced areas.
That was particularly evident in the way Palmer, Pedro and Rogers were given freedom to interchange rather than operate as a conventional front three.
Chelsea’s opening goal encapsulated the approach. Maxence Lacroix won the initial aerial duel before Palmer and Pedro combined to exploit the space behind Fulham’s defence.
It was exactly the kind of fast, vertical football Alonso wants to establish.
Defensive concerns remain despite Lacroix
The attacking excitement cannot completely disguise Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Fulham exploited the space behind Chelsea’s high line, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for both goals.
Josh King’s equaliser should have been saved, while Sanchez subsequently spilled a shot into the path of Gonzalo Garcia for Fulham’s second.
Lacroix therefore deserves considerable credit for helping Chelsea survive those moments.
The centre-back completed five tackles, two interceptions and four clearances, while also contributing the assist for Rogers’ goal.
His recovery pace and physicality appear particularly well suited to Alonso’s high defensive line, but the system will need greater collective discipline if Chelsea are to consistently control games.
For now, however, the early signs are encouraging for the Blues.
Chelsea have already shown they can be extremely dangerous under Alonso; the next step is making sure their defence can match the quality of their attack.
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