Chelsea training this week will likely be focused on one specific thing ahead of the trip to Everton
Xabi Alonso and Joao Pedro in Chelsea training at Cobham
Xabi Alonso and Joao Pedro in Chelsea training at Cobham(Image: Chelsea FC)
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After a dismal 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the international break, it was vital Chelsea returned to winning ways. The Blues did just that against Bournemouth, smashing five past the Cherries in a dominant display.
Xabi Alonso's side have played eight games this season and have scored four of more goals in three of those fixtures. They also scored three against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Considering they boast perhaps the most devastating front three in England in Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers, it is perhaps no surprise to see the west Londoners scoring so freely. Defensively, however, it is another story.
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The Blues have already conceded 13 goals in the English top flight this campaign, which is the joint-most alongside Bournemouth and Newcastle. The fact all three of the teams promoted from the Championship have a better defensive record speaks volumes.
While smashing five past Bournemouth would have delighted Alonso, the fact his side conceded yet again would have irked him. Chelsea's only clean sheet this season came in the Carabao Cup second round against Luton town, who are currently 13th in League One.
"It will come," Alonso said after the Bournemouth game when asked about not keeping a clean sheet. "Today we were close. A win with a clean sheet will come."
Xabi Alonso, Manager of Chelsea, looks on before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10, 2026 in London, England
Xabi Alonso during Chelsea's win over Bournemouth.(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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The Spaniard has previously criticised his team for their defending, too. "Overall, I think that we are attacking better than defending in every part," the former Real Madrid boss said last month.
"We know that it's a big topic and a big theme for us. For sure it's just four games, but the dynamic in terms of conceding, I don't like it and we need to do much better. Open play, set-pieces, long balls, this toughness, this competitive sense, we can do better."
Chelsea face Everton on Saturday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with David Moyes' side currently unbeaten in the league. The Blues squad were spotted hard at work at Cobham on Tuesday as Alonso and his coaches prepare for the weekend clash and remaining solid at the back will likely be a key theme during the sessions over the coming days.
In fact, Joao Pedro has already revealed the Blues need to "keep working" in order to achieve a clean sheet. Speaking after the win over Bournemouth, the Brazilian said: "It was a brilliant game. The international break was a long time. We had time to work, to fix the mistakes against Brentford, and we got a great result.
"Of course, you want to win with a clean sheet, so we need to keep working. Hopefully the next game we can get that, but it was a great game and three more points."
Everton have already kept three clean sheets in the Premier League this season and Alonso will be hoping his side can register their first on Saturday afternoon.
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