Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso attends a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Former Chelsea player and assistant manager Jody Morris has defended Xabi Alonso. Alonso has come under scrutiny following the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, especially for their negative approach.
Chelsea were expected to beat Spurs at Stamford Bridge, as they normally do, but the visitors thoroughly outplayed them. Alonso’s side had just 31 per cent possession and six shots compared to Tottenham’s 11.
This was not the first time Chelsea have let their opposition dominate possession this season, even in games they have won. The Blues had just 25 per cent possession in their 4-3 home win against Brighton in August.
While no one complains when it leads to results, many fans have criticised Alonso for not being brave enough to play out from the back and show patience on the ball rather than relying on counter-attacks. Morris has explained why Chelsea’s style of play is not the Spaniard’s fault, even though he is in charge.
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Jody Morris explains Chelsea’s problems under Xabi Alonso
Jody Morris insists Xabi Alonso is not to blame for Chelsea’s negative tactics so far this season. Morris believes that Alonso wants his players to control possession, but they have let him down with “individual mistakes”.
The Blues have been far too easy to cut open, allowing other teams to create chances at will. The introduction of Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson helped solve this problem against Bournemouth and Everton, but it returned against Tottenham last weekend.
Chelsea’s man-to-man press failed against Spurs, as they repeatedly played around the Blues’ attacking players and reached the final third. Morris wants the Chelsea players to take more individual responsibility for the team’s defensive woes.
“I think it’s very easy to blame Xabi Alonso’s style of play,” Morris told Sky Sports News on Tuesday. “I don’t think he wants to give up loads of chances in the style he wants to play.
“I just think there are individual mistakes; [the players] are maybe not doing their jobs as well as they could be at the moment, from a defensive aspect.
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“I felt we looked very open in midfield… we looked a little bit more assured with Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo in there, so it’s not just a defender or a goalkeeper thing.
“But when you’re giving up as many chances as we have, then you certainly need to be worried. And having to rely on an amazing front three or attacking areas is never sustainable when the backups aren’t as good.”
Alonso’s previous teams also suggest that Chelsea’s struggles to control possession may not be down to his tactical instructions. Bayer Leverkusen averaged 58 per cent possession during their unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2023/24, while Real Madrid averaged 59 per cent under the 44-year-old in 2025/26.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have already shown they can score plenty of goals, but they must improve defensively if they want to compete for major honours this season. Hopefully, the Blues will deliver an improved defensive performance and retain more possession against Liverpool on Wednesday night.