Xabi Alonso has reflected on the pain of Chelsea’s first defeat of the campaign, describing the 2-1 reverse at Arsenal on Sunday as an early stumble rather than a verdict on his tenure in charge in his matchday program notes. The Spaniard’s message came just before Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round clash with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso had enjoyed a buoyant, if porous start before that trip to the Emirates. His team won 3-2 at Fulham and 4-3 versus Brighton in the Premier League before beating Luton Town 2-0 in the last round of this competition. Morgan Rogers put the Blues ahead inside two minutes in north London on Sunday, but the scoreline was flipped by Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard as the Blues finished with seven goals conceded in three league games.
Alonso reflected on that loss in the club’s official program, saying:
“It’s important to remember that we are only a few games into this new project that we are building here, but we always want to win, so it hurt to lose that game, especially in a derby. Now we need to focus on the work we are doing together as a squad, to continue building and improving, and put that defeat behind us as we move forward.”
Hull City visit West London on Saturday for Chelsea’s third game in a week. The fixture pile makes wholesale rotation almost obligatory rather than prudent for a manager still calibrating his personnel. Discussing that congestion, Alonso said:
“With three games in seven days, it is also about managing minutes in the right way. But we have good options in every position on the pitch, and players who bring different qualities to each role.”
Chelsea’s previous record in this fixture is commanding, with the Blues advancing from all 10 previous domestic cup ties with Leeds, including a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final success in April. But Daniel Farke’s side are still unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Chelsea Team News: Four players confirmed absent against Leeds by Alonso
Levi Colwill, an unused substitute at the Emirates with a fitness concern, has been declared available. Alonso’s rearguard has appeared consistently vulnerable, and the return of the England defender gives him continuity.
Moises Caicedo and Marco Palestra remain sidelined, with the Ecuadorian’s return to action for just 14 minutes against Brighton proving premature. Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson have also been ruled out.
Alonso spoke to reporters on the pair’s prospects:
“No, not yet. They are still not ready to go, and it’s not the moment to take an early risk. So we go game by game with them, but it’s too early.”