Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer
Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer celebrate(Image: Robin Jones)
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It doesn't take a genius to figure out Chelsea's biggest problem right now.
With nine goals conceded in just four Premier League matches, the Blues' defensive problems are the biggest concern for Xabi Alonso at the time of writing. Alonso has admitted as much but solving the problem is another thing entirely.
Going the other way, Chelsea have been electric for the most part. The Blues have scored 10 goals in the Premier League so far this season - only Brighton have netted more after four matches - yet there is a slightly concerning trend that may be brought to Alonso's attention sooner rather than later.
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It relates to two of Alonso's star attackers in Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
The latter passed to the former on just one occasion during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Hull City on Saturday afternoon. Considering they make up two-thirds of the Blues' front three, that is a concern.
Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers
Chelsea's deadly front three of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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The other way around, Palmer found Joao Pedro four times - and, crucially, the Englishman provided the assist for the Brazil international for the equalising goal at Stamford Bridge. It came less than a week after something similar at the Emirates Stadium.
In the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Palmer did not find Joao Pedro with a pass at all. A quite remarkable statistic given Chelsea did have plenty of the ball in the Gunners' half, particularly late on when the Blues were pressing for an equaliser.
It makes it even more remarkable when it is simply broken down. Palmer is one of Chelsea's creators and Joao Pedro is the Blues' talisman.
The week before the Arsenal defeat, Palmer only found Joao Pedro once in the 4-3 win over Brighton. Alonso, somehow, needs to try and get two of Chelsea's most dangerous attacking players linking up effectively.
More often than not, it seems, when the two are able to find each other, good things happen for the Blues.
Against Fulham on the opening matchday of the season, they found each other nine times in total. Palmer found Joao Pedro less than a minute in at Craven Cottage and the Brazilian opened his account for the new campaign. Joao Pedro returned the favour in the second-half for Palmer.
Joao Pedro celebrates with Cole Palmer
Joao Pedro celebrates with Cole Palmer after scoring for Chelsea against Fulham(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar)
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Out of all of the things going wrong for Alonso and his players at the time of writing, the attacking play would probably be towards the bottom in most people's lists. That would be fair, but Alonso has said in recent weeks that his side need to improve offensively as well as defensively, and getting Joao Pedro and Palmer singing from the same hymn sheet is one way of doing that.