Chelsea sit fifth after 10 Premier League games, eleven points behind Arsenal, and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland summed up Xabi Alonso’s problems. Chelsea had 69% of the ball at the Stadium of Light yet produced one shot worth more than 0.08 expected goals, while Sunderland managed six, and Enzo Le Fée’s penalty settled it.
The trouble runs deeper than one afternoon. Alonso became only the sixth manager in Premier League history to concede at least twice in each of his first five games, and across the Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Sunderland matches, Chelsea scored one goal from open play.
The squad explains much of it. João Pedro has been out with a thigh injury since before the Tottenham game, so Alonso has used Pedro Neto and Morgan Rogers up front instead of a natural centre-forward. Maxence Lacroix isn’t expected back until January, and Chelsea never landed the central midfielder they wanted.
January has to repair three areas, and three names stand out.
1. Jules Koundé
The Touchline reported that Alonso has asked for Barcelona’s Jules Koundé, and TEAMtalk added that he is keen after slipping down Hansi Flick’s order. Koundé admits his standards dropped last season, yet his contract runs to 2030, so Barcelona can set the price. He suits Chelsea because he defends well on the right in a back four or a back three. Inconsistency under Flick’s high line is his weakness.
2. Alex Scott
Simon Phillips reports that Alonso has spoken to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and that a verbal agreement on terms exists, with a fee of £90m. TEAMtalk talks of more than £100m, and Liverpool are watching. Scott is 23, right-footed and ball-winning, with one goal, 11 chances created, nine tackles and eight interceptions in five league games this term. He scored twice last season, so the fee buys potential rather than output.
3. Jean-Philippe Mateta
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is the left-field pick, and no firm report links Chelsea to him. The 29-year-old France striker is 6ft 4in and has a contract ending in June 2027 that he has disputed. He offers the target man Alonso worked with in Victor Boniface at Leverkusen. Age and a February knee injury count against him.
Should Chelsea back Alonso with all three signings?
Chelsea should sign Koundé without hesitation, because defence is where this season has gone wrong most visibly: 16 conceded in ten games and Lacroix unavailable until January. A defender who can play wide or central solves two problems for one fee, and Barcelona are reportedly open to offers.
Scott is the harder call. Chelsea need a midfielder, but anything near £100m for a player with two league goals last season is a gamble BlueCo shouldn’t take, with Liverpool ready to inflate the price. Pay £90m only if Alonso sees the controller his side lacks.
Mateta ranks third. His expiring contract should keep the fee low, but Chelsea should buy him only if Pedro’s return slips into December. If they can afford one, it has to be Koundé, because no forward or midfielder repairs a defence that has conceded 16 times.
