[Stefan Borson
Stefan Borson](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/stefan-borson)
Xabi Alonso must be prepared for pressure to grow "very quickly" after a troublesome start to his tenure at Chelsea.
The Blues are sitting fifth in the Premier League after eight games, but have now lost to Tottenham Hotspur and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
This was always likely to cause an uproar, with Chelsea not playing in Europe and unlikely to compete for the Premier League title.
Alonso has only been in charge for 11 games, but whispers of an early exit are already emerging in West London this season.
Stefan Borson 'surprised' by Xabi Alonso backlash
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson expects Alonso to face further backlash, with Chelsea still in "shock" from the loss to Spurs.
"They had the defeat against Spurs, which I think still is a bit of a shock for them. I was surprised by the level of reaction against Alonso in respect of that game," he said.
"It's uncommon to lose that game, and so it's probably been pretty painful. The injury is to Joao Pedro is obviously a problem because he's probably been their best player.
"And so I think there's just a building of pressure, and then you've got the Man United game at the weekend. The expectation is, of course, that Chelsea win the United game.
"Expected to win because of everything that's happened with Man United. But of course, United have got their own backlash. I think the pressure can build quite quickly at Chelsea."
The manager's treatment of Estevao has left many baffled, with the 19-year-old Brazilian not being given a start since the win over Leeds United.
Last season, he notched eight goals and three assists in 36 games, but now he's rarely making an impact from the bench in West London.